Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori

He ao te rangi ka uhia, mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu.

Just as the clouds adorn the sky, so do birds need feathers to fly.

• Embed Te Aronui, our Te Tiriti Framework, across AUT
• Lead key strategic change and work in a complex outcomes-driven environment
• 5-year potentially renewable role, based at AUT's City Campus

As one of the world's top 100 young universities and New Zealand's newest, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is a university of opportunity where all students with talent and potential have the chance to succeed. We have a clear vision expressed through Te Aronui, alongside our strategy, Te Kete, and our cornerstone Ki Uta Ki Tai Student Success Plan; which ensure a shared, cohesive approach for the University to achieve its commitments and ambitions for student success, inclusion and belonging.  We are a socially-driven university with equity and excellence central to our purpose and actions, and have more than 27,000 students and over 4,000 staff based primarily at our three Auckland teaching campuses.

AUT's leadership is genuine in its deep support for Te Tiriti. Our pathway forward is ambitious and well defined through Te Aronui - our confident response to the University's commitment to Te Tiriti which seeks to enable all within AUT to give life to Tiriti honouring actions. 

Please ensure to review the extensive candidate information handbook available (which includes information on AUT's strategy, our commitment to Te Tiriti, the position description and much more).

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity 

As AUT's inaugural Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori, this foundation role is unique and will make hugely significant academic and cultural impact on our University. We are excited and humbled to invite interest from experienced and knowledgeable Rangatira Māori to become a pitau whakarei of AUT's waka. This transformational role is critical to our aspirations of being the university of choice for Māori kaimahi and ākonga. Without limiting individual responsibility of all members of AUT to Te Aronui, the appointee will bring a maturity of leadership, confidence and relationality as they embrace responsibility for embedding Te Aronui across AUT.

You will in all facets of the role, bring Te Aronui to life with the core four pillars of:

• Whakaawe - Enabling Māori influence
• Whakaea - Realising Māori Aspirations
• Whakamana - Equitable Outcomes for All
• Whakanui - Eliminating Racism and Discrimination

As a new full-time position, this will be further shaped by the incumbent once they are in place. Key areas of focus will include:

• Develop this role into an exemplar for New Zealand organisations.
• Lead, implement and embed Te Aronui across AUT in partnership with our Executive Leadership Team and other key stakeholders.
• Lead the elevation of Māori across AUT kaimahi (academic and professional) and ākonga, whilst growing and strengthening whakawhanaungatanga across all Ngā Whanau Māori at AUT.
• Lead our Māori academic and research agenda to whakamana Te Tiriti at AUT, collaborate closely with senior leaders to develop and implement the University's Māori academic research and teaching objectives, strengthening Māori content, delivery and methodology.
• Represent AUT on relevant committees, governing bodies of external entities, national academic committees and other forums concerned with mātauranga, rangahau and ako Māori matters.
• Manage complexities and enhance relationships with mana whenua, iwi, enterprises and community groups.
• Management of a committed primary support team (currently around 8-10 staff).
• Act as Vice-Chancellor when requested to do so.

This role provides autonomy and freedom to harness your energy and ideas to make things happen. You will be recognised as an effective leader, visionary and aspirational, displaying attributes of trustworthiness, confidence and kindness. Your ability to listen, connect, collaborate and influence will be critical - as is your level of strong respect for others coupled with an open and engaging attitude that is flexible to changing requirements. A resolute, robust and positive attitude is essential. Atua given, tūpuna driven.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply 

We request applicants submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae (including full publication record if applicable) and a statement addressing how you feel you meet some, or all, of the following key selection criteria:

1. A currently recognised and outstanding leader in Māoridom.
2. Extensive Te ao Māori lived experience and expertise working with mana whenua, iwi, enterprises and community groups. A working knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the ability to understand it's history, challenges and many viewpoints.
3. The ability to champion te reo in a deep way and demonstrated experience using it in key moments. Proficiency highly desired.
4. A record of distinguished academic achievement and research, or demonstrated standing in industry with a commitment to education. A doctoral qualification in a relevant discipline is strongly preferred, but not mandatory.
5. Extensive experience working with diplomacy and integrity, making quality decisions amidst complex, ambiguous, multi-dimensional challenges where judgement has been exercised appropriately on increasingly more sensitive and difficult issues.
6. Significant experience leading key strategic changes at scale whilst demonstrating an excellent understanding of cultural, operational and environmental change management.
7. A collaborative, inclusive, consultative people leadership style combined with outstanding resilience, interpersonal, and relational skills.
8. Staff management experience.
9. Applicants are welcome to add further comments they may feel of relevance.

Further Information:

• Start Date: Late-2024/Early-2025 (to be agreed with the successful candidate).
• Term: The successful candidate will secure a 5-year term, potentially renewable. A competitive remuneration package will be agreed, commensurate with experience and skills.
• For enquiries or a confidential discussion: Contact Mike Wood - AUT Executive Recruitment Partner [email protected].

Tēnā koe - thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you.

Advertising closes: Sunday 13 October at 11.55pm. Interviews will take place late-October. 

Reference: 90095