Pou Aronui - Maaori Partnerships, Communications & Engagement Executive

Company Description

Hamilton City and Waikato District Councils have formed a publicly owned, Council-controlled Organisation (CCO) to deliver water services across Hamilton city and Waikato district. The company is called IAWAI - Flowing Waters and will take over the provision of water services from 1 July 2026. This transition will occur in stages such as the current Watercare contract for Waikato District Council transferring to the CCO on 1 July 2026.

Job Description

IAWAI is seeking an inspiring leader to join us as Pou Aronui - Māori Partnerships, Communications & Engagement Executive. This pivotal role strengthens and deepens our relationships with iwi, hapū, marae, and Māori communities, ensuring Māori perspectives and priorities are woven into every part of our strategy, operations, and decision-making. You will champion te ao Māori within IAWAI, fostering culturally grounded and safe approaches, and promoting te reo Māori and tikanga across all activities.

Alongside this, you will guide our Communications and Engagement function, ensuring alignment between Māori partnerships and our wider communication strategies. Through your leadership, our communications will be ethical, inclusive, and culturally authentic building trust, transparency, and understanding of IAWAI’s purpose across the region. If you are passionate about creating meaningful partnerships, driving impactful engagement, and leading with integrity, we invite you to bring your expertise and vision to this transformative role.

Key responsibilites include :

• Plan the IAWAI Maaori engagement strategy in alignment with the IAWAI vision, mission and values, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ture Whaimana, and in partnership with iwi and hapuu.
• Ensure Maaori perspectives, aspirations and maatauranga Maaori are embedded in IAWAI strategic planning and vision, including through governance, policy, decision-making and delivery frameworks.
• Assist Chief Executive Officer and people leaders with strategic planning to provide assurance that there is an inclusive approach to managing strategic and operational visions.
• On behalf of IAWAI, partner with local marae, iwi, hapū and Maaori partners during the IAWAI establishment phase, through the opening and during full operations to provide continuity and effective relationship management.
• Foster strong and enduring connections with Waikato Tainui, managing relationships on behalf of IAWAI - nurturing trust, confidence and credibility within the organisation.
• In conjunction with the Communications & Engagement Manager leads and supports the development and implementation of IAWAI’s Communications and Engagement Strategy to ensure effective, coordinated, and inclusive engagement with stakeholders, communities, and partners.

Qualifications

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience

• A minimum of 10 years’ leadership experience within a complex organisation, with at least 5 years’ experience in a similar role or at an advisory level, preferably within local government, utilities, or a similar organisation.
• Well-developed networks, credibility and relationships with iwi, marae, and hapū, particularly within Waikato Tainui.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to plan engagement approaches, foster strong relationships with stakeholders, and communicate key messages effectively.
• Demonstrated experience leading or overseeing communications and engagement functions, including media relations, internal and external communications, and public engagement.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, both in te reo Maaori and English, with the ability to translate complex or technical information for diverse audiences.
• Proven commitment to te ao Maaori and the promotion of tikanga and te reo Māori, with a passion for whānau hauora.
• Strong knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ture Whaimana.
• Ability to ensure alignment between Maaori partnerships priorities and wider organisational communications strategies.
• Strong understanding of effective communications practice, including audience insights, messaging, branding, and digital engagement.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams, fostering collaboration and shared purpose.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to collaborate, lead, and influence others, with excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
• Comfortable working in an ambiguous and changing environment; resilient and adaptable.
• Ability to operate independently, anticipate requirements, and manage workload effectively.

Additional Information

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary?

Circa$200k+ dependent on skills and experience.

If you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please combine this in the same file as your resume and upload as a PDF file. Alternatively, you can use the 'Write a message to the Hiring Team' text box.

Applications close on the : 30 / 11 / 2025

Note : We will be shortlistingas we receive applications.

Council is committed to honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi through its relationship with Kiingitanga, Waikato Tainui, mana whenua and maataa waka within Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants byclicking here

It is important to us that we support you throughout our selection process (interview and assessments). If you have any access needs during this process, let us know in advance so we can make sure these are met.

As a council, we believe in creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and belongs. We value inclusiveness (Kotahitanga) – we respect and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that everyone brings.

This role is being sourced directly. If / where Hamilton City Council requires the support of a recruitment agency, we will seek this support from our panel of selected agencies. Hamilton City Council will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any commissions, fees or other payments related to unsolicited contact.

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