Te Haeata/The Opportunity

Build relationships that matter. Strengthen partnerships that create change.

Strong partnerships are essential to improving justice outcomes for Māori.

Job Description

We're seeking an experienced and influential leader to become our new Manager, Strategic Partnerships .

In this role you will lead the Ministry's strategic engagement and partnership function, strengthening relationships with iwi, Māori organisations, justice sector partners and other key stakeholders while ensuring the Ministry meets its Te Tiriti obligations and partnership commitments.

This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead strategic partnerships with Māori and an enduring approach to engagement that strengthens relationships and improves justice outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand.

As Manager, Strategic Partnerships, you will provide leadership across the Ministry's engagement with iwi, Māori, and key partners, ensuring Te Tiriti commitments are upheld and partnerships deliver meaningful, enduring outcomes.

Reporting to the General Manager, Te Tirohanga Māori, you will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for strengthening relationships, building organisational capability, and embedding best-practice engagement across the Ministry. Working at a senior level across government, the justice sector and with iwi partners, you will influence strategic decision-making and help drive better outcomes for Māori and priority populations.

In This Role You Will

- Lead the Ministry's strategic partnerships and engagement function
- Strengthen relationships with iwi, Māori and priority populations
- Oversee Treaty settlement commitments and partnership obligations
- Embed engagement standards, quality assurance and best practice across the Ministry
- Deliver insights and strategic advice that shape organisational priorities and decisions

Ō Pūkenga/Skills And Experience

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification.



If your experience looks a little different from what we have outlined and you believe you can bring value to the role, we would love to hear from you.

To Be Successful In This Role, You Will

- Demonstrate a strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori-Crown relationships
- Bring significant experience leading strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement functions
- Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, iwi and external partners
- Lead high-performing teams through complexity, change and competing priorities
- Use data, insights and sound judgement to inform strategic decision-making

Mō Mātou/About Us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture, the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa Recent Zealand.

Ātea ā Rangi, Strategy leads the Ministry's strategic direction, organisational performance, partnerships and long-term planning. We work across the Ministry, justice sector and communities to improve outcomes for current and future generations. A strong commitment to Te Tiriti partnership and meaningful engagement with iwi and hapū is central to how we work.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means becoming part of an organisation that values diversity, inclusion and belonging. We welcome and support people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's Great About Working Here

Advantages

- 22 days annual leave
- Flexible working arrangements where possible
- Access to an online professional development portal
- Inclusive employee-led networks and communities

With opportunities to contribute at a strategic level and work alongside influential partners across Aotearoa, this role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on justice outcomes and strengthen relationships that matter.

Utu ā-tau/Salary

The remuneration band for this role is $149,972 to $193,782 . The appointing salary will be based on skills and experience.

Applications close on 16 August.

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📌 Manager, Strategic Partnerships (Wellington)
🏢 Public Defence Service - New Zealand
📍 Wellington