Principal Advisor – Māori Governance
He kōrero mō te tūranga | Position description
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Reports to: |
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Job dimension: Full-time / Permanent |
Direct reports: Nil |
Mō mātou | About us
The Institute of Directors is the professional body for directors and is at the heart of Aotearoa New Zealand's governance community. We believe good governance has the power to positively transform organisations, business and communities for the benefit of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our mission is to support directors to provide value to their organisations and positively transform the future. We do this by connecting them through our 10,500 strong member network; developing and providing governance resources, insights, training and professional development; supporting director and board effectiveness through our board services; research, advocacy and thought leadership to set and improve the standards of governance.
Te aronga o te tūranga | Position purpose
The Principal Advisor – Māori Governance is a vital and strategically significant position for the Institute of Directors to support and amplify engagement with of IoD’s and Aotearoa New Zealand’s significant sectors – the Māori economy A newly established role within our Governance Leadership Centre (GLC), this position is key to advancing IoD’s Māori Governance kaupapa and promoting and implementing Māori-led solutions for our members and the wider governance community and building out a sustainable Māori governance unit within the IoD.
With a deep understanding of governance, te ao Māori, tikanga Māori, and mātauranga Māori, this role contributes directly uplifting Māori governance capability in the unique context of Aotearoa New Zealand. Key responsibilities include creating - or providing governance advice in the creation of - Māori-aligned governance resources, tools, programmes and education, ensuring that Māori perspectives, values, and practices are integrated into current and/or new offerings in a culturally responsive way.
This position also enriches the IoD’s engagement and impact with Māori by further strengthening IoD’s relationships and partnerships with iwi, kaupapa Māori organisations, Māori governors and leaders, and will support the IoD towards delivering our Māori Governance kaupapa in alignment with Te Tiriti principles.
Ā mātou uara | Our values
Māiatanga | Courage We are bold and have the courage to do the right thing.
Manaakitanga | Support We are welcoming and show respect for each other.
Kaitiakiatanga | Stewardship We take responsibility of care.
Whakautetanga | Individual We respect the value each individual brings.
He pukenga wai | Learners for Life We seek to learn and share our knowledge.
Ngā haepapa matua | Key responsibilities
- Engagement and partnerships
- Build and strengthen IoD’s relationships and partnerships with Māori organisations, iwi and Māori governors and leaders.
- Engage with Māori stakeholders through hui, events and wānanga to understand their needs, attitudes, barriers, and aspirations towards engaging with governance and the IoD.
- Identify and collaborate with external stakeholders e.g. iwi, Government, IoD sponsors and partners, business leaders etc to amplify and support the success of IoD’s Māori governance intitiatives.
- Establish and support a Māori Advisory Group to guide a ‘by Māori, for Māori’ approach to the design and delivery of services and offerings.
- Māori governance work programme
- Lead the co-design and delivery of a sustainable Māori governance work programme that responds to the needs of Māori organisations, members and governors, including identifying the short and long-term needs for the organisation and a pathway to achieving that.
- Consider and recommend ways for IoD to improve engagement and services for Māori – ensuring they are aligned to or support IoD’s strategic, commercial and for purpose ambitions.
- Thought leadership and research
- Provide subject matter expertise within the IoD on matters relating to governance in particular governance in a Te Ao Māori context.
- Contribute to the GLC work progamme through the creation, development and review of governance thought leadership for example articles, reports, practice guides, governance updates – and lead this work in regard to Māori governance and the Māori economy.
- Monitor local and international governance developments – including indigenous governance practices – and advise on and/or contribute to debate and discussion on governance issues affecting directors and members, for example court cases, social, environmental, legislative, policy and business developments.
- Draw expertise from a wide community of directors, academics, leaders in Māori governance and business and international alignments, including reference groups of them where appropriate.
- Lead research on the roles, duties and responsibilities of boards and directors – for example, legal and ethical, financial and risk, corporate social responsibility, technology and data, international governance trends etc.
- Contribue to IoD research including the annual Director Sentiment Survey and Director Fees Survey, and the biennial Brand Health research.
- Contribute to the currency of the IoD’s Four Pillars of Governance Best Practice, the authoritative standard for governance best practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Support quality assurance for internal teams and partners to uphold IoD’s standards, ensuring they are current, leading edge, and align to director competency and continuing professional development requirements – for example, director/board development products (courses, tools, guides etc), governance services offerings, partner publications.
- Representation and advocacy
- Bring a Māori governance practice, research and policy perspective to IoD advocacy work including submissions on policy and regulatory developments.
- Represent the IoD in culturally significant contexts and events including in hui and wānanga, kaupapa Māori engagements and kauapapa Māori events.
- Support the development of IoD’s positioning and voice at events and in the media including contributing to speeches and articles.
- Contribute to IoD’s positioning and voice at events and in the media including writing or contributing to speeches and articles.
- Act as a visible advocate for Māori governance leadership within the governance community.
- Build commitment to the IoD’s kaupapa within the Māori governance community.
- Cultural responsiveness
- Guide IoD to support delivery of the Māori Governance kaupapa in alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles to ensure cultural responsiveness.
- Provide cultural guidance and/or support to the others within the IoD in their engagement with Māori to ensure culturally responsive, authentic interactions that support IoD to achieve it’s ambitions.
- Collaborate with internal teams and the wider IoD community e.g. Board, Council and Branch Committees to inform practices that will lift cultural competency, awareness and understanding.
Ngā hononga matua | Key relationships
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External |
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Mōu ake | Person specification
- Te Ao Māori
- A understanding and experience of governance in Te Ao Māori and how it relates to the broader governance context in Aotearoa New Zealand
- High competency and fluency in Te Reo Māori and a proven capability and understanding of Tikanga Māori
- A well-developed understanding and knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and it’s principles in respect to governance in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Well-developed culturally appropriate skills in oral presentation and facilitation with ability to confidently represent the IoD with internal and external stakeholders.
- Qualifications and experience
- A tertiary level qualification or equivalent experience in business, policy, law or similar
- A minimum of 10 years’ post-graduate experience in an environment that engages with the business, government and Māori organisations
- Significant experience engaging with Māori organisations and senior leaders
- Demonstrated experience in establishing and leading strategically significant work programmes and achieving outcomes
- Experience in turning strategy into action particularly with weaving Te Ao Māori into existing frameworks
- A good understanding of governance and applied governance experience
- Knowledge, skills and competencies
- Exceptional writing skills – able to communicate complex information in a clear, succint way
- Excellent research skills and proven ability to develop policies, practices, guidelines and toolkits for engaging effectively with Māori and improving outcomes for Māori governors and organisations
- Strong relationship building skills, across a wide range of stakeholders
- Demonstrated ability to influence in an authentic way to build trust and commitment in culturally sensitive situations.
- Ability to translate strategic concepts into priorities, plans and outcomes
- Able to develop, monitor and manage budgets.
Ngā tohungatanga matua | Other key competencies
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We drive
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We set and model our vision, purpose and values in all we do We build partnerships to drive purpose and transformation in the sector We create competitive and breakthrough strategies and show a clear connection between vision and action We set courageous goals, holding ourselves and others to account for achieving them We empower innovation and inspire others to do the same We bring a strategic mindset and anticipate future needs, trends and impacts We are commercially savvy and understand our financial and operating environment We think long-term and lead sustainability |
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We lead with influence |
We are sought out as experts in our field, valued for our advice and respected as ambassadors of IoD We express ideas and issues with impact - concise, clear and in a way that appeals to our diverse audiences We use healthy conflict to challenge respectfully and build mutual agreement We have an ethical heart and mind and create trust through honesty, integrity and authenticity We know what’s important, what’s not, and when to say no We make tough decisions and do what’s necessary for the good of the IoD |
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We are |
We strive for excellence and look for better ways to do things. We harness technology to drive continuous innovation, improvement and efficiencies. We push ourselves forward, show persistence and resilience to bounce back. We way up the future impacts of actions and decisions and take calculated risks |
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We create
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We are welcoming and respectful to all regardless of culture, beliefs, lifestyle, position, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. We encourage diversity of thought and the sharing of ideas and opinions We are self-aware, lead by example and model and uphold positive behaviours We call out behaviours that fall short of our values or expectations We understand power dynamics and manage these We know our biases and work hard to overcome these |
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We value |
We participate actively, positively and constructively We bring team spirit and believe that together is better We back each other up and support our teammates and colleagues We offer up ideas and solutions that improve or benefit the team We share responsibility and recognise the good work that others do We face up to conflict in a healthy way and focus on the issue, not the person |
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We put our members & customers first |
We act for the good of the IoD and our purpose to positively transform governance We go the extra mile for our members and customers - both inside and outside the organisation We care about how our work impacts our members and customers We see things from our members’ and customers’ perspectives and design services and create solutions that meet their needs |
Rangatiratanga | Authority
The Principal Advisor – Māori Governance has the authority to make decisions and carry out actions in all matters related to the responsibilities and deliverables of the position consistent with budget approvals.
He whakahounga ki ngā haepapa | Amendments to the responsibilities
The responsibilities of this position are expected to change over time as the IoD responds to the changing environment and commercial demands and requirements. This position description will be updated as required to reflect these changes. The incumbent will need the flexibility to adapt and develop as the environment evolves.
Travel
This role is required to travel nationally and work outside core business hours from time to time including overnight travel.
Dated
September 2025
DRAFT Position Description - Principal Advisor - Māori Governance, Sept-25 Page 1