Ko wai mātou | Who are we

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is a hapū of Ngāti Whātua. We live in and around the Tāmaki isthmus. We hold to our mana motuhake, our history, our culture, our identity, and our reo. Our whakapapa traces to Tuperiri and the hapū Ngā Oho, Te Taoū, and Te Uringutu.   

We are tangata whenua in Tāmaki. Our authority over land and sea rests on take tupuna, take raupatu, ahi kā, and tuku whenua.  

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust looks after the collective affairs of our hapū. We have more than 8,000 registered members across Aotearoa and overseas. Ōrākei Marae is our cultural hub.  

Te Kahu Tōpuni o Tuperiri describes the protective reach of our ancestor across our rohe.   

Purpose of the role

The purpose of this role is to provide high‑trust, senior Executive Assistant support to the Chief Executive and act as a trusted conduit between the CEO, governance, senior leaders, and key stakeholders. This fixed term role requires sound judgement, discretion, and the ability to anticipate priorities and decision points, enabling the CEO to operate effectively across governance, organisational leadership, and iwi relationships.

Working with the CEO

This role works closely with the Chief Executive in a high‑trust, fast‑moving, and values‑led environment. The CEO operates across governance, organisational leadership, and iwi relationships, often balancing complex priorities, sensitivities, and time pressures.

The Executive Assistant in this role is a thinking partner, not just an executor.

What this looks like in practice

You will work best with the CEO if you:

• Are comfortable anticipating needs, not waiting for instructions

• Use judgement to help prioritise what truly requires CEO attention, and when

• Understand that clarity, timing, and tone matter just as much as accuracy

• Can hold context, across Board matters, organisational dynamics, and iwi relationships, without needing to own everything yourself

The CEO values support that is calm and forward‑looking, particularly when navigating governance engagements, sensitive issues, or competing demands.

How the CEO works

The CEO:

• Thinks ahead and appreciates others who do the same

• Values direct, respectful communication

• Expects discretion, reliability, and follow‑through

• Cares deeply about mana, tikanga, and how people are treated

• Prefers information that is well‑shaped and purposeful, rather than overly detailed

You will often be asked to help shape, triage, or prepare material, not just move it along.

What success looks like

In this role, success means:

• The CEO is well‑prepared, supported, and confident in key engagements

• Risks and Issues are anticipated early, and managed proactively

• Communication consistently reflect the CEO’s voice, clear, mana‑enhancing, and fit for purpose

• Relationships across governance, leadership, and iwi stakeholders are supported with care and professionalism

• An understanding of Te Reo Māori and tikanga is a strong advantage

This role suits someone who is experienced, thoughtful, and comfortable operating with trust and autonomy, and who takes pride in supporting leadership that is both decisive and values‑driven.

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

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!