"Manu Taki – Māori Schools Engagement and Partnership Lead"

Job Description:

Tēnei te karanga atu nei ki te hunga e mōhiotia ana i roto i o tātou Kura Māori o Tāmaki Makaurau tae atu ki ngā kaupapa Māori e whai pānga ana ki ngā Kura Aunoa o Tāmaki Makaurauo otirā o tātou hāpori Māori kia tonoa mai ki te tūranga nei. He tūranga tūhonohono tēnei i waenga i Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau me ngā Kura Māori, Hāpori Māori anō hoki i a Tāmaki Makaurau.  Me matatau ngā kaitono ki Te Reo Māori, ki ngā Tikanga Māori otirā ngā Kura Māori me o rātou mātāpono, kaupapa, āhuatanga motuhake anō hoki. Kāti ko te tino whāinga ia, kia whai wāhi ai ngā tauira Māori nō roto mai i ngā Kura Māori ki Te Wānanga Aronui nei, Kura Kaupapa mai, Kura ā Iwi mai, Kura Reo Rua mai, Kura Hāpai Kaupapa mai.

• Lead AUT’s strategic engagement with Kura Māori and Māori communities.
• Drive co-designed, culturally affirming partnerships that support Māori student success.
• Champion Te Aronui – AUT’s Te Tiriti Framework – across outreach and engagement initiatives.
• Work in a collaborative, values-led environment committed to equity and inclusion

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is bold and unapologetically different, centred on students and grounded in Knowledge that Works driven by talented, progressive people. We are New Zealand’s newest university, ranked 5-stars by QS Universities 2025 and a place of opportunity where more than 26,000 students with talent and potential succeed, supported by a community of more than 4,000 staff based primarily across three Auckland campuses. Built on collaboration, shared purpose and the values of Pono (fact, truth, reality, integrity), Tika (acting accordingly, doing what is needed, ethical expression), and Aroha (empathy, care, compassion). AUT offers an innovative, forward-thinking environment where committed people work together to improve outcomes for students, communities, and the world.

AUT recognises the importance of Te Tiriti, Māori and Pacific knowledge, leadership, and contribution across our university and is committed to creating environments where these communities can thrive. We embrace diversity in all its forms and are proud to welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs.

Brand & Marketing Services (BMS) provides strategic leadership to strengthen AUT’s reputation and engagement with future students, communities, and partners. Brand and Marketing work across the university to deliver innovative campaigns, insights, and experiences that reflect AUT’s values and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The Office of Māori Advancement (OMA) leads AUT’s kaupapa Māori strategy, embedding te ao Māori across the university and advancing Māori success. Guided by Te Aronui and Te Kete strategies, OMA fosters authentic partnerships with iwi, hapū, whānau, and Māori communities to create mana-enhancing outcomes for Māori students and staff

The Opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi

We are seeking a passionate and experienced leader to join AUT as Manu Taki – Māori Schools Engagement and Partnership Lead. This pivotal role sits within Brand & Marketing Services and the Office of Māori Advancement, reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer and Kaihautu Tiriti.

You will lead exploratory and research-based engagement with Kura Māori, ensuring Māori voices shape AUT’s approach to school partnerships. Acting as a bridge between AUT and Māori education leaders, you will foster relationships grounded in reciprocity and mana-enhancement, co-design culturally responsive pathways, and develop insights that inform AUT’s long-term strategy for Māori student success.

This is a 12-month fixed-term role, offering the chance to make a meaningful impact on Māori education and AUT’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

About you | Ko wai koe

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• 7–8 years’ experience in Māori engagement, education, or partnership development.
• Proficiency in Te Reo Māori and deep understanding of tikanga Māori and kawa.
• Experience applying Māori models of facilitation and engagement (hui, wānanga, kaupapa-based co-design).
• Strong relationship-building skills with kura, whānau, hapū, iwi, and Māori education networks.
• Strategic thinking, research capability, and project management skills.
• A commitment to equity, diversity, and AUT’s Te Aronui journey.
• Formal qualifications: An undergraduate degree is required; additional qualifications in education, Māori development, or related fields are desirable.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and Supportive of AUT’s Te Aronui journey (link).

As a professional member of staff at AUT, you’ll help keep us moving forward. From improving our services and streamlining our systems to supporting the experiences of students and staff across our campuses. By working collaboratively, solving problems and driving practical improvements, you’ll play a vital role in helping us operate smoothly, raise our profile, and evolve what we do, every day.

You will bring an open, engaging, and collaborative approach, with the flexibility to respond to changing requirements, and actively contribute to a positive and collegial environment. You will demonstrate cultural humility, awareness, and respect when engaging with indigenous peoples and culturally diverse communities. Experience supporting indigenous, equity, or inclusion focused initiatives is highly desirable.

What we offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou

At AUT, you’ll be part of a values-led university that supports you to thrive in your role and career. We offer:

• Flexible working and a strong, caring culture that supports
• Professional development opportunities to keep you moving forward
• Recognition frameworks that reflect your contribution and how you live our
• The tools and trust to make a meaningful difference every
• Māori and Pacific development programmes that strengthen our shared
• Cultural capability uplift development programmes for all staff

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

Along with your CV, please ensure to submit a cover letter which explains why this role (and AUT) is of interest, and how your experience aligns with the key experience and attributes you will bring to this role.

Please feel free to add any further comments you feel may also support your application. All applications must be submitted through the online application process.

Further Information | Pārongo Anō

• Start Date: TBD
• Salary Ranges | Ngā Utu: $103,000 - $123,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
• For further information: please send us an enquiry here or call 09 921 9499.

Closing Date | Te rā aukati: 24 February at 11:55 PM

Job Reference | Tohutoro Mahi: 94447

*Full-time denotes 37.5 hours per week

*At AUT we strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We are committed to te Tiriti, excellence and inclusivity and aspire to be the University of choice for Māori and Pacific communities. We welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs.*

Please note that all applications must be submitted through the online application process. For further information, please send us an enquiry here or call 921 9499. Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email. You will need to apply through the standard registration process.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.

With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.