Ko wai mātou | Who are we

The Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Group serves as the lead governance body of our iwi, made up of elected representatives and our corporate trustee. Together, we safeguard and grow the collective assets of our people, ensuring they advance the cultural, social, and economic aspirations of our whānau.

We are entering a new chapter, one of growth, transformation, and renewed purpose. Guided by Ngāti Whātuatanga, we are building a team grounded in integrity, foresight, and collective ambition to ensure a strong and thriving future for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

The Legal function is housed in Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa, the commercial arm of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and will support the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei group (excluding the corporate mahi of Whai Rawa) as a shared service legal function.

Purpose of the role

Working within Whai Rawa and reporting to the Group General Counsel, the Senior Legal Counsel will provide trusted legal advice and support across the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Group.

This role ensures our mahi aligns with both tikanga and the law, protecting the interests and mana of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei while enabling strategic growth. The Senior Legal Counsel will help design and maintain a legal and compliance framework that reflects who we are as an iwi organisation — values-led, future-focused, and grounded in ahi kā.

The role supports the Chief Executive, Boards, and leadership teams to identify and manage risk, strengthen governance, and advance opportunities that uphold the aspirations of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei across all our Kaupapa.

Ngā tino pūkenga/whēako | Qualifications & Experience

• LLB qualification and current Practising Certificate.
• 6+ years PQE experience gained in private practice or in-house.
• A good working knowledge, or interest to develop legal skills, across a broad cross section of the law including Te Tiriti/Settlement legislation, Resource Management, Trusts, Privacy, Companies Act, Intellectual Property, Health and Education
• An understanding of Māori law preferred but not essential.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of projects and legal matters.
• A positive attitude with the ability to multi-task, prioritise, take ownership of matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate advice in a relevant and appropriate way to team members, senior leaders, and the Board.
• Ability to build excellent relationships and communicate effectively across the organisation.
• A proactive and pragmatic approach to managing and mitigating legal risk.
• Commercial acumen and sound judgment.
• Ability to work well in a team.
• Cultural Understanding. Knowledge of te ao māori and te reo māori (proficiency or desire to learn).

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

Key Result Areas:

• Provide or facilitate the provision of legal advice on operational and strategic issues affecting the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei group.
• Provide legal support to implement Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s strategic priorities and annual plan; identify and address commercial, social or environmental challenges or opportunities.
• Provide active support to the Settlement Protection team. Manage representation at various fora that are important to our ahi kā status and advance our position across these fora as agreed by the Board and Settlement Protection team.
• Manage (with the Group General Counsel and CE) disputes to which Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is a party.
• Manage (with the Group General Counsel, CE and CFO) oversight of the legal risk profile and provide legal support to the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s risk function to ensure the legal obligations register is up to date.
• Manage (with the Group General Counsel and Director Strategy) oversight of material law and regulation changes.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and maintenance of appropriate manuals, policies and procedures, and facilitate training as required, in relation to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s legal duties and obligations.
• Advise on legal risks and any claims to be made for, or against the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
• Provide or facilitate the provision of legal advice to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, including Te Tiriti/Settlement legislation, Resource Management, Privacy, IP, Litigation (for claims)/ Law reform.
• Prepare, negotiate and/or advise on contracts to be entered into by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei entities (excluding Whai Rawa) to ensure commercial objectives are achieved while mitigating legal risk.
• Board reporting input for the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei (excluding Whai Rawa) as requested.
• Management of external legal adviser relationships and spend.
• Input into the (proposed) legal matter management system.
• Company secretarial management for specific projects.
• Champion Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s privacy toolbox and assist with privacy queries and complaints (if any) to ensure proper processes are followed.
• Member of the group Health & Safety Committee.
• Management of the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s intellectual property portfolio to ensure it is suitably protected and defended.

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:

• Criminal Check
• Qualification 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: 

vicki.moran@ngatiwhatuaorakei.com

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