Special Focus Leadership Advisor - Tumuaki Māori in Kura Auraki

Help shape the future of Education

Date advertised : 19 Nov 2025

Job Type : Fixed Term

Location : Whanganui, NZ

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes .

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

• Leadership Advisor Special Focus - Tumuaki Māori in Kura Auraki
• Commencing 28 January 2026
• Fixed-term, full-time role
• Lower North Island

There is a vacancy for a Leadership Advisor, Special Focus - Tumuaki Māori in Kura Auraki based in and serving the Lower North Island region.

This is a 1 – 2-year secondment position and will commence on the 28th of January 2026.

In addition to the two regional roles, the expanded Leadership Advisory service is looking to fill a range of special focus roles. These roles will provide more nuanced support to specific parts of the principal sector in the region and beyond.

These Leadership Advisors will provide dedicated and responsive support to specific parts of the principal / school sector across broader geographic areas.

We are looking for experienced principals with successful sector experience and strong connections within the network to share your experience, provide advice, coaching and support to others in similar situations.

The Tumuaki Māori in Kura Auraki leadership advisor (Lower North Island) will work with Te Mahau and the sector to develop innovative and effective ways to meet the unique, current and emerging needs of the principals within this sector.

They will also form effective relationships with Te Mahau across the regions they serve, will work closely with the other special focus advisor in their sector, national sector groups and collaboratively with leadership advisors across New Zealand.

You will report to the Director of Education in your rohe and be supported nationally by the Chief Advisor.

You will use your knowledge, expertise and experience to provide support and advice, addressing issues where and when they arise as a highly trusted educational professional. Your focus will be on improving leadership capability in schools and kura.

You will work closely with regional colleagues and play a key role in facilitating the sharing of good practice across the system, supporting collaborative networks such as clusters of schools, to shape innovative approaches to curriculum design and teaching and learning.

For more details about the role, you can view and download the Special Focus Tumuaki Māori Expectations Document.

You can view and download the Expression of Interest (EOI) form here.

Applicant's current / most recent terms of employment and remuneration will apply.

About you | Mōhou ake

You will be a highly experienced current or recently retired school Principal (within the last 12 months).

We are looking for deep first-hand knowledge of the principal’s role and their responsibilities and the ability to work well across the sector.

You will have had experience supporting Māori tumuaki in Kura Aoraki.

Experience in rumaki reo rua is desirable, but not essential.

You will also :

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

At Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga, we provide services and support nationally, regionally, and locally to the education sector, and in some cases, directly to ākonga and whānau.

Te Mahau | Te Tai Whenua is the key interface between Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education and education providers. It is our role to ensure that sector leaders and the communities in which they operate have access to the expertise, programmes and resources that will allow our children and young people to reach their full potential.

We give effect to government and Ministry policy and support education and community leadership within a self-managing system; to bring about the positive changes required to lift aspiration and raise educational achievement for all.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your completed Expression of Interest (EOI) and CV by using the ‘apply’ button. We’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

Applications are invited for the tumuaki Maōri in Kura Auraki school leadership advisor role, by secondments of 12 or 24 months.

Please note – there is no need to provide a cover letter. Two only attachments are to be uploaded.

Attachment 1 – EOI Form with a letter of endorsement from your Board

Attachment 2 - Resume

For general enquiries about this Special Focus Leadership Advisor role contact Melanie Taite, Director for Education, Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatū -

Applications close 5.00 pm- Monday, 8 December 2025

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

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