Kaiāwhina - Strategy Administrator

Waipā District Council is seeking a highly organised and relationship-focused Kaiāwhina - Strategy Administrator to support our Māori Strategic Partnerships team and Strategy Group.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful iwi and Māori engagement, support Council’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, and play a key role in enabling important district-wide strategic initiatives.

Primarily based in Te Awamutu, this role will also work across Council offices and throughout the district as required.

About the role

As Kaiāwhina - Strategy Administrator, you will provide high-quality administrative, coordination and process support to the Kaihautū – Director Strategic Māori Partnerships, the Māori Strategic Partnerships team, and the Strategy Group working closely with the Executive Assistant for the Strategy Group.

Your work will help enable kaupapa Māori-led initiatives, support tikanga-informed engagement processes, and ensure the smooth delivery of Council’s strategic programmes of work. This is a varied and collaborative role, ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, supporting engagement activity, and ensuring strong organisational systems sit behind meaningful partnerships.

Key responsibilities

• Provide high-quality administrative and coordination support to the Māori Strategic Partnerships team, enabling effective iwi and Māori engagement and delivery of Council’s Te Tiriti commitments
• Support hui and partnership activities with iwi, hapū, marae and Māori organisations, including logistics, documentation and follow-up actions
• Maintain accurate engagement and relationship records, including supporting Joint Management Agreements, MOUs and partnership frameworks
• Assist with the preparation of briefings, reports and updates for senior leaders and Elected Members
• Support tikanga-informed engagement processes, Māori induction initiatives and cultural capability activities
• Provide administrative support across the Strategy Group’s key priorities and projects, including agendas, minutes, reports and workshop materials
• Support public consultation and community engagement processes
• Deliver general administrative support including diary management, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, event bookings and document control

About you

You are an experienced and capable administrator who brings strong cultural understanding, coordination skills, and attention to detail. You are confident working across diverse stakeholders and understand the importance of professionalism, confidentiality and relationship-based work.

You will bring:

• At least two years’ experience in an administrative or coordination role
• Experience working with Māori organisations, iwi, hapū or in kaupapa Māori environments
• A sound understanding of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori
• Experience supporting meetings, events or engagement activities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Confidence working with systems, documentation and structured processes
• A full, clean driver’s licence

Experience in local government or the public sector is desirable but not essential.

Why join Waipā District Council?

At Waipā, we are committed to building strong, enduring relationships with mana whenua and our communities. You'll be part of a supportive and collaborative organisation that values cultural capability, partnership, and making a positive difference for the district.

If you are motivated by supporting meaningful engagement and want to contribute to kaupapa that matter, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply for this job, please go online to www.joinourteam.co.nz and enter the job code: 38344LGC.

Applications close: Sunday, 22 March 2026 at 10:00pm.

For more information or a confidential discussion, please contact David Dugmore - P&C Business Partner at david.dugmore@waipadc.govt.nz