Māori Community Liaison Officer - Kaitakawaeka Māori

Job Description:

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TE HUKA MĀTAURAKA | THE MĀORI CENTRE
TE RATONGA ĀKONGA | STUDENT SERVICES

Who we are | Mō te tīma

Ka mate kāika tahi, ka ora kāika rua.

Ko te Huka Mātauraka ka noho hei kāika rua mō ngā tauira Māori katoa ka tau mai ki Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.

Mai i te purapura o te hiahia kia haere mai koe, tae noa ki te hui whakapūmau me kā mahi ka whai ake, ko Te Huka Mātauraka tērā ka poipoi, ka ārahi, ka āwhina i kā tauira Māori katoa.

All year, every year, Te Huka Mātauraka offers a home away from home for our tauira Māori.

Te Huka Mātauraka is the heart of Māori life on campus, providing services, support, motivation and encouragement. We are an iwi-diverse whānau packed with mātua and whāea who are dedicated to serving our tauira and ensuring they have access to a welcoming place throughout their academic hikoi.

Our services range from academic and tutorial expertise, tuakana teina support, and Year 13 to first-year support through to clinical and therapeutic care.

About the role | Te mahi

As a Māori Student Recruitment Adviser, you will play a key role in connecting, guiding and engaging with Māori students and their whānau as they consider, transition to, and study at the University of Otago.

Working with schools, communities and whānau, you will:
• Lead outreach and recruitment programmes that inspire and encourage Māori students to study at the University of Otago.
• Deliver engaging presentations to prospective students, whānau and wider community groups.
• Provide advice and information on study options, scholarships, accommodation, financial support and career opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with students, whānau, schools, hapū, iwi and community organisations.
• Support Māori student success by connecting tauira with the University's services and support networks.

Your skills and experience | Kā pūkeka me kā wheako

To be successful in this role, you will have:
• A strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and an understanding of tikanga Māori and Te Reo Māori.
• A tertiary qualification and extensive experience within the tertiary and/or secondary education sectors.
• An understanding of educational pathways and the factors that support equitable outcomes for Māori learners.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to engage confidently with a wide range of audiences.
• Proven relationship-building skills and the ability to work collaboratively with students, parents, whānau, teachers and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership and the ability to motivate and inspire others.
• Strong organisational and digital skills, including experience using Microsoft Office and online systems.
• A current full driver's licence and the willingness to travel regularly.
• Established Māori networks and relationships with secondary schools, whānau, hapū, iwi and community organisations (desirable).
• Experience working within community and marae settings, together with liaison experience and a sound understanding of university support networks (desirable).

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our tauira Māori while developing your career within a University committed to achieving equitable Māori participation and success in tertiary education.

Further details/Pūroko

This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent position based in Ōtepoti, Dunedin.

The appointment range for this role is $75,631 to $80,503, Top of Range $88,750 per annum.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.

The University of Otago is a workplace that values and utilises diverse and inclusive thinking, people and behaviours. This means that the contributions of staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives are valued and respected.

Specific enquiries may be directed to Michelle Taiaroa-McDonald, via the contact details below.

Application/Tono

To submit your application (including CV and cover letter) please click the apply button below.

Applications quoting reference number 2601142 will close on Sunday, 16 August 2026.

Additional Information

Contact: Michelle Taiaroa-McDonald

Position details: Job Description

Further Information: Department Website

Create an email with a link to this vacancy: Create email

Location: About Dunedin