Iwi Strategy and Partnerships Business Partner

• Play a critical part in supporting the Biodiversity, Heritage and Visitors Group to give effect to our Treaty commitments. 

• Salary - $125,600 - $162,525, depending on skills and experience. 

• Permanent role, Wellington preferred. 

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa 

Mō te tūranga | About the role 

We have a new DOC Treaty Operating Model that will strengthen how we work with Treaty partners and bring greater clarity to expectations, roles, and accountability across the organisation. This makes it an exciting time to join our Iwi Strategy and Partnerships Group. 

The role exclusively supports the Biodiversity, Heritage and Visitors Group, which leads and delivers across biodiversity, cultural heritage, visitor, and regulatory settings. The group brings together science and technical expertise, national programmes, planning and prioritisation, monitoring impact, and regulatory functions.  

You will provide strategic Treaty and iwi partnership expertise to leaders across this critical portfolio, acting as a trusted partner to help ensure Treaty settlement commitments, Section 4 obligations, iwi aspirations, and partnership expectations are understood and embedded into planning, decision-making, and delivery.

Working within DOC's Treaty Operating Model, you will provide insight and analysis on complex issues, identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships, and support leaders to navigate iwi-DOC relationships with confidence, integrity, and cultural awareness. 

What you will be doing; 

• Providing strategic iwi partnership and Treaty advice to support long-term planning and decision-making. 

• Supporting leaders to integrate Treaty settlement commitments, Section 4 obligations, and iwi aspirations into work programmes and strategies. 

• Delivering high-quality analysis on Treaty implications, partnership opportunities, risks, and emerging issues. 

• Supporting robust, Treaty-aligned decision-making through trusted advice and insight. 

• Identifying opportunities to advance both conservation outcomes and iwi aspirations. 

• Building capability by coaching and advising leaders on Treaty-related matters and partnership approaches. 

• Acting as a key conduit between business groups and Treaty specialists to ensure consistent Treaty practice and advice. 

• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with iwi, hapū, whānau, and Māori organisations. 

• Supporting constructive engagement, early issue resolution, and partnership-focused ways of working. 

Click here for the Role Description  

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience 

To be successful in this role, you will bring: 

• Deep understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Crown-Māori relationships, Treaty settlements, and their practical application. 

• Experience working with iwi, hapū, whānau, and Māori organisations. 

• Strong knowledge of te ao Māori, tikanga Māori, and mātauranga Māori. 

• Excellent strategic advisory, analytical, and written communication skills. 

• Experience providing advice in complex Māori partnership and Treaty environments. 

• Strong relationship-building, facilitation, and negotiation skills. 

• An understanding of government processes, machinery of government, and the broader Māori-Crown relationship context. 

• The ability to influence senior leaders, navigate complexity, and build trust across diverse stakeholders. 

• Sound judgement, cultural awareness, and a commitment to mana-enhancing engagement.