Te Kāhui Tangaroa Project Manager
Kotahitanga mō te Taiao - TNC New Zealand
Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance
Te Kāhui Tangaroa Project Manager
Tēnā rā koutou kātoa, nau mai rā ki tēnei āheinga hou o Te Kāhui Tangaroa, ki rāro i te kaupapa hirahira o Kotahitanga mō te Taiao. Kua whai mai mātou i ngā moemoea o ngā iwi e iwa ki Te Tauihu o te Waka a Māui ki Kawatiri. Hei te tiaki o tātou taonga tuku iho o ngā tūpuna me ka whakamana tātou ngā mauri o te moana, mai ki uta ki tai. Nō reira kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui. Kia tau rā ngā manaakitanga ki a koutou kātoa.
We are excited to be offering this new opportunity to support the kaitiaki aspirations of our Kotahitanga mō te Taiao iwi here in Te Tauihu o te Waka a Māui ki Kawatiri to provide iwi leadership to restore the mauri and wellbeing of our moana across the Kotahitanga mō te Taiao takiwā. This role supports the vision and responsibility of our people to enable a thriving moana for our mokopuna and future generations.
Ko wai mātou / About us
Kotahitanga mō te Taiao is an alliance comprised of all the Councils and all the iwi in the top of the South Island (Te Tauihu and northern Buller/Kawatiri), and key Government agencies including the Department of Conservation, the Ministry for the Environment and Fisheries New Zealand. Our focus is on landscape-scale conservation and restoration projects across the 3.4M hectares of terrestrial, freshwater and marine areas in the top of the South Island that deliver environmental, social, economic, and cultural benefits.
The KMTT Alliance has recently published its ambitious Strategy Implementation Pathway Plan (see summary graphic below) to give effect to the KMTT Strategy. A key component of this operational plan is Te Kāhui Tangaroa – an iwi-led leadership group, with a specific focus on restoring the marine ecosystems across the KMTT rohe.
The purpose of Te Kāhui Tangaroa is to provide an iwi-led forum for marine restoration programmes adopting a ki uta ki tai approach, through:
a) Strategic oversight and guidance for marine restoration programmes including iwiled initiatives and land-based restoration programmes that may impact the marine environment. b) Decision-making on project relevance, alignment, and prioritisation.
c) Enabling an iwi-centric framework for collective problem-solving, research excellence, and ecosystem stewardship.
d) Establishing meaningful partnerships with stakeholders working in the wider marine ecosystem while maintaining the integrity of iwi values, kaitiakitanga, and tinorangatiratanga.
He tūranga mahi / Opportunity
Te Kāhui Tangaroa is seeking an exceptional person to provide professional services to support our kaupapa. The role is a full-time position for an expected period of three years and may be delivered as a contract or as an employment opportunity, depending on discussions with the successful candidate.
Remuneration package will be agreed in discussion with the successful candidate.
The focus is on delivering the Te Kāhui Tangaroa work programme, with a particular emphasis on delivering core components of the restoring marine ecosystems work outlined below. We are particularly looking for someone who can deliver on complex projects, within the key lens of a Te Ao Māori world view, and deep knowledge of marine ecosystems.
The role will report to the KMTT Programme Manager, with guidance provided by Te Kāhui Tangaroa, and functional relationships with members of the KMTT Programme Manager’s Office and associated governance and projects.
The role can be based in Marlborough, Nelson, Tasman or Buller, with preference for a relatively central location. There may be opportunities to be hosted within KMTT iwi partner entities. Iwi secondment, or similar proposals will be considered.
Ngā Takohanga / Role Responsibilities
As Te Kāhui Tangaroa Project Manager you will provide a key role in delivering agreed Te Kāhui Tangaroa and Restoring Marine Ecosystems outcomes as outlined in the work programme.
The key functions of the Project Manager role will be to:
1. Drive delivery of the agreed Te Kāhui Tangaroa work programme.
2. Develop an Iwi-centric framework/methodologies for marine restoration within the Kotahitanga mō te Taiao rohe.
3. Lead a spatial mapping stocktake of activities in the marine environment, undertaking a gaps analysis and through co-design, identifying restoration opportunities with a particular emphasis on iwi-led restorative programmes.
4. Lead the digital data and data sovereignty project for the iwi partners of Kotahitanga mō te Taiao.
5. Engage with whānau, hapū and iwi in wānanga marae or hui settings to understand iwi priorities and support the design and implementation of iwi-led projects.
6. Develop enabling partnerships, and manage any formal agreements, including contracts, to help facilitate delivery of the Te Kāhui Tangaroa work programme.
7. Provide leadership support and guidance to any relevant working groups that may arise, and participate in other KMTT working groups that may have relevance to the work of Te Kāhui Tangaroa.
8. Provide organisational support to Te Kāhui Tangaroa hui, in conjunction with the KMTT Programme Management Office.
9. Develop agreed work plans with the KMTT Programme Manager to deliver the above and provide regular reports on project activities in support of the work plans’ deliverables.
10. Work collaboratively with Te Kāhui Tangaroa Co-Chairs and members, the KMTT Programme Manager’s Office team, and a range of collaborative project partners and stakeholders.
11. Support KMTT and Te Kāhui Tangaroa communications, funding and other related initiatives as required. 12. Other work that arises, including scoping and development of iwi-led projects.
Ngā Tohu / IdealQualifications
We are seeking an individual with the following experience and skills:
• Experience of working deeply in Te Ao Māori, such as ‘Te Reo Māori me ona tikanga’ and have an understanding the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and willingness to grow capability
• Relevant tertiary qualifications and experience in Marine Science, Environmental Science, or Ecology
• Experience in biodiversity project management
• Proven track record of delivering projects in the marine and/or freshwater environment and/or wider ecosystems within budget and on time
• Strategic thinking, including ability to develop strategies, contribute to research agenda, and proactive and collaborative problem-solving
• Ability to lead processes to support a Māori kaupapa framework for data management and information sovereignty
• Strong communication skills (both oral and written) including Te Reo Māori
• Strong relationship building skills and experience in relationship management, particularly engaging with whānau, hapū and iwi Māori
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Experience working with a wide variety of individuals and groups through stakeholder engagement
• Computer proficiency including GIS, MS applications and other software
Whakatakoto / Application Expectations
Applications should include a description of relevant experience and qualifications, with particular framing around the aspirations of Te Kāhui Tangaroa. You should outline your availability in line with the expectations provided above.
Your application should be one page or less, excluding supplemental materials (such as a CV, project experience,sample work, etc.) submitted by close of business on 9am Monday 16th February 2026 by emailing the KMTT Programme Manager, Debs Martin on debs.martin@tnc.org
