Manager Tiakina Kauri Management Agency
Role type: Permanent full-time
Location: Wellington preferred
Salary band & range: General salary range B - $138,938 to $186,493 depending on skills and experience
About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga
As the Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operational management of the Tiakina Kauri Management Agency, which delivers the National Pest Management Plan for the protection of kauri.
You will lead a team that implements and manages the National Plan for Kauri in partnership with mana whenua, regional councils, other government agencies, private landowners, scientists and others in the fight against kauri dieback disease.
Your key priorities will be:
- Leading the operational delivery of the National Pest Management Plan ensuring effective coordination, delivery, and continuous improvement of programme activities.
- Team management to ensure effective delivery of programme objectives. Including fostering a collaborative team culture, managing resources, and enabling professional development to strengthen capability and impact.
- Establishing and maintaining enduring relationships to improve collaboration, capability and achieve positive outcomes.
- Partnership with tangata whenua, programme partners, and stakeholders to co-develop a shared vision that guides strategic direction and informs agreed operational priorities.
- Driving innovation in process, thinking and/or ways of working.
There will be some travel required to Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Northland, where kauri grow naturally.
About You - Mou
You will be an experienced people leader with a proven record of delivering complex programmes through collaborative partnerships. Your background includes leading initiatives focused on biosecurity and biodiversity, ensuring culturally grounded and environmentally impactful outcomes.
You may also have:
- A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent work experience at a Senior Management level.
- Experience in working with Maori and across organisations to deliver outcomes based on Treaty principles.
- Experience as a leader and natural collaborator, and in managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience leading a collaborative and high performing team.
- A proven ability to produce top quality peer reviewed technical writing.
- Experience working in a Government agency (central, regional or local).
- Financial management.
You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.
About the Team - Mo to matou Ropu
The Manager will have 4 direct reports including a Principal Business Analyst, Programme Coordinator, Operations Manager and Science Lead. Your team is based in Wellington and Northland.
This team is part of the Pest Management directorate in Biosecurity New Zealand, a business unit of MPI. We provide system and operational leadership in activities that prevent, reduce, or eliminate the harmful impacts of pests or diseases that are present in New Zealand.
About MPI - Mo te Manatu Ahu Matua
We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki - guardianship of our natural resources.
Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua
- Additional MPI leave days
- Annual Wellness payment
- Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
Credit check - Tirotiro nama
Please note, given this position is identified as carrying financial risk, the preferred candidate(s) will be required to satisfactorily pass a credit check.
Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.
We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatu Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.
In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.
To view the position description and/or apply online, please click "APPLY FOR THIS JOB" or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it - click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.
Applications close at midnight on 1 September 2025.
If you have any questions about the role, please email melissa.heaney@mpi.govt.nz
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