Principal Liaison Officer (Pae Manawa) – Māori Land Court

About the role

The Māori Land Court in Gisborne is seeking a Pae Manawa (Principal Liaison Officer) to lead relationship‑management initiatives that support Māori landowners. You will act as a bridge between the Court, iwi, hapū and government agencies, helping to unlock opportunities for land occupation, utilisation and development.

Key responsibilities

• Provide specialist facilitation, assessment, analysis and information services to Māori land owners and Court customers.
• Enable access to specialist resources and professional advice for land‑related projects.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with iwi, hapū, Māori organisations, government agencies and external service providers.
• Organise and deliver seminars and educational events for Māori land owners and other stakeholders.
• Support regional and national programmes, including travel as required.

Required profile

• Proven leadership and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Deep understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi principles.
• Demonstrated ability to manage Māori‑Crown relationships effectively.
• Extensive knowledge of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 and related legislation.
• Broad network with local iwi, hapū and Māori organisations.
• Experience in public relations, customer service or media management.
• Respect for tikanga and te reo Māori with a commitment to further learning.
• Full New Zealand driver’s licence and willingness to travel.

Required skills

What we offer

• A supportive, tikanga‑based workplace within the Ministry of Justice.
• Opportunities to work with experienced leadership teams nationally while based locally.
• Flexibility, resilience and a collaborative environment focused on serving Māori land owners.