Job Description

Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Development Trust is the Post‑Settlement Governance Entity for Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara. We represent the interests of whānau, hapū and the five marae of southern Kaipara, ensuring our people thrive culturally, socially, environmentally, and economically.

We are seeking an exceptional Tumu Whakarae - a leader of mana, integrity, and deep cultural grounding to guide the Trust through its next phase of growth, maturity, and intergenerational impact.

Te Angitū | The Opportunity

This is a significant opportunity to lead us to strengthen identity, empower marae and hapū, grow capability, and ensure the long-term prosperity and wellbeing of Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara.

As our Tumu Whakarae you will:

• Deliver on the strategic direction set by the Board, ensuring high standards of governance, disciplined management, and operational excellence.
• Provide strategic, cultural, organisational, and commercial leadership across all areas of the Trust.
• Strengthen engagement with whānau, hapū, marae, and uri, ensuring their voices guide direction.
• Champion strong relationships with Crown agencies, local government, iwi and other strategic partners.
• Build organisational capability and develop future leaders who will carry the kaupapa forward.
• Work collaboratively with other subsidiary entities, building out shared service capability and leading our charitable activities.

This role is central to uplifting Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara aspirations and enhancing collective identity, and prosperity.

He kōrero mōu ake | About You

You are a respected and relational leader, grounded in our values, who operates with integrity and a deep heart for the whānui and whenua of Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara. You bring:

• A strong grounding in our tikanga and kawa, along with fluency in te reo Māori.
• Proven experience leading complex organisations or significant kaupapa, ideally within an iwi or kaupapa Māori context.
• Demonstrated capability to turn strategy into tangible results across diverse workstreams.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, able to engage confidently with uri, marae, hapū, kaimahi and external partners.
• A deep understanding of Iwi-Crown dynamics, Te Tiriti settlements, and the unique context of Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara.
• Strong commercial, financial, and risk management acumen.
• A deep commitment to te Taiao.
• A passion for cultural excellence, succession, capability development, and thriving organisational culture.
  
  

Above all, you will be visible, grounded, and committed to serving Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara with mana and humility.

Tono mai | Apply Now

If you are ready to lead Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Development Trust into its next era and deliver meaningful, intergenerational impact, we welcome your application.

For a confidential kōrero or a copy of the position description, contact:

Carl Church – 021 166 6441
carl.church@nicherecruitment.co.nz

Applications close on 27 February 2026