Ko wai mātou | Who are we

Ko Whai Māia te peka whakawhanake o Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. He huhua ngā kōkiri a tēnei peka, ko te mātauranga me te ako, ko te reo Māori me te ahurea tuakiri a Ngāti Whātua, ko ngā umanga me te mahi, ko ngā whare, ko te hauora me te oranga, ko te mahi tāpoi me ngā taonga tuku iho, ko te tiaki taiao me te penapena rawa

Whai Māia is the tribal development arm for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.  We are a diverse business encompassing education and learning, careers and employment, housing, health and wellbeing, culture and heritage, and environmental and resource management.

Our people are the heart of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Our goal is for whānau to be loved and nurtured, strong and happy, stand tall and proud, confident and enjoy life in comfort, companionship and inclusion.

Purpose of the role

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Māra Kai Team Lead to help us nourish our whānau and whenua through kaupapa Māori gardening practices grounded in mātauranga and Hua Parakore principles.

As Māra Kai Team Lead at Te Pourewa, you’ll oversee the year-round production of seasonal kai, provide leadership and training for the māra team, and ensure the garden remains a space of learning, wellness, and community connection. This is an opportunity to lead from the ground up, literally, and support the vision of KTP2040 through manaakitanga, kotahitanga, and kaitiakitanga.

Ngā tino pūkenga/whēako | Qualifications & Experience

• 5+ years of experience in ecological restoration, māra kai, or related fields.
• Holds (or is working toward) a Level 2 Advanced Horticulture Certificate (or equivalent).
• Physically fit, confident in systems and reporting, and strong in team leadership.
• Has a deep understanding of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga and kaupapa Māori frameworks.
• Is passionate about supporting whānau wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
• A full NZ driver’s licence is essential.

To be successful in this role, we recognise that the following values & competencies are critical for kaimahi/employees to flourish at Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei:

• Manaakitanga 
• Respect
• Resilience
• Whānau outcome focused
• Collaboration
• Cultural Understanding

Requirements & Checks

Applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand. 

Please be aware in applying for this role, you may be required to undergo the following pre-employment checks:

• Police Vetting Report
• Qualification Check 
• Driver's License Check

Apply Now

If you're interested, please click the 'Apply for this job' button at the top or bottom of the page. If you have any questions about the role please email: peopleperformance@nwo.iwi.nz

We will be reviewing applications and undertaking interviews ahead of the closing date, therefore please do not hesitate to submit your application!