Iwi Strategy and Partnerships Business Partner

• Strengthen how DOC engages with Māori and communities across Aotearoa 

• Support strategic partnerships that deliver shared outcomes for nature, provide advice and hands-on support 

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

• Permanent role, Wellington location 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.  

This role supports the Public Affairs Group, which leads DOC's communications, marketing and engagement, strategic partnerships, Government and Ministerial Services, Risk and Assurance functions. 

As a trusted strategic adviser and hands on practitioner, you will help ensure Māori perspectives and interests, Treaty commitments and partnership aspirations are understood and reflected in the way DOC communicates, engages and builds relationships with communities and stakeholders. 

You will work alongside Public Affairs leaders to build strong partnerships with iwi, Māori organisations and Māori businesses that support shared conservation outcomes.  

You will identify opportunities to grow collaboration, investment and collective impact, while providing practical advice that helps teams engage confidently and effectively with Māori audiences. 

What you will be doing; 

• Providing strategic advice on Treaty partnerships, Māori engagement and stakeholder relationships.  

• Supporting leaders to develop and maintain trusted relationships and strategic partnerships with iwi, Māori enterprises, Māori networks and philanthropic organisations.  

• Advising on communications and engagement approaches that resonate with Treaty partners, Māori communities and broader audiences across Aotearoa. 

• Supporting the design and delivery of engagement strategies that strengthen trust, credibility and long-term relationships.  

• Supporting honourable Treaty partnerships through constructive engagement, early issue resolution and mana-enhancing ways of working. 

• Providing analysis and advice on Treaty implications, risks, opportunities and emerging issues within Public Affairs programmes and initiatives.  

• Designing and delivering workshops, coaching and capability-building activities that help our people engage confidently and effectively with Māori audiences  

• Acting as a conduit between Public Affairs and Iwi Strategy & Partnerships to ensure consistent, high-quality advice and practice. 

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. 

• Demonstrated success building and sustaining strategic partnerships that deliver shared outcomes.  

• The ability to move confidently between strategy and delivery, providing advice while also helping teams put plans into practice.  

• Commercial awareness and experience working with iwi organisations, Māori businesses or other partnership-based initiatives.  

• Experience in communications, engagement, partnership development or related fields. 

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

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

• Strong relationship-building, facilitation, and influencing 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.