Research Engagement Manager - Māori

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Engagement Manager – Māori to join the newly established Research Engagement function within Te Puna Tiketike | Research and Innovation Office. Supporting the James Henare Research Centre (JHRC) and aligned Signature Research Areas, this role will play a critical part in strengthening relationships between the University, iwi, hapū, Māori organisations, communities, researchers, and strategic partners.

Working within a kaupapa Māori framework, you will lead strategic engagement activities, develop trusted partnerships, and facilitate opportunities for collaboration that support Māori research aspirations and contribute to meaningful research impact. As a key connector and advisor, you will help shape research engagement approaches that align community priorities with the University's research strengths and strategic objectives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing specialist advice to the James Henare Research Centre Academic Director, Signature Research Area (SRA) research leads and senior leaders on Māori research engagement strategy, partnership development, and co-design practice grounded in kaupapa Māori.
• Developing and coordinating engagement plans that reflect iwi, hapū and Māori community priorities, align with strategic objectives, and contribute to a seamless and coherent partner experience.
• Building and stewarding long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with iwi, hapū, Māori organisations, Māori businesses, industry, funders, government agencies, civil society organisations and international partners.
• Acting as a strategic broker and wayfinder, connecting Māori partners with University expertise and innovation capability while ensuring Māori aspirations help inform research agendas and priorities.
• Convening and facilitating co-design processes, including hui and wānanga in tikanga-led and marae-based settings, bringing together Māori communities, researchers and interdisciplinary teams to develop shared research opportunities.
• Collaborating with Marketing and Communications teams to ensure outreach activities, events, digital engagement and thought leadership initiatives are aligned with broader partnership and engagement strategies.

This is a Permanent full‑time, 37.5‑hour‑per‑week contract. This is a band H position with the salary band from $98,700 pa to $121,900 pa depending on skills, qualifications and experience. This position will be based in the James Henare Research Centre, City Campus

For more information on the role, please view the Position Description.

About the Research Engagement Team

We're establishing a new Research Engagement function within Te Puna Tiketike | Research and Innovation Office to strengthen the University's ability to build meaningful, long-term partnerships that enable excellent research and deliver impact.

Working alongside researchers, communities, iwi, industry, government, and other partners, the team will help shape shared research agendas, foster transdisciplinary collaboration, and support co-designed research that addresses challenges of national and global importance.

Rather than responding to opportunities as they arise, the team will take a strategic, relationship-centred approach to engagement, helping position the University as a trusted partner while making it easier for external organisations to connect with our research expertise.

Aligned to the University's Signature Research Areas, the team will work closely with researchers to develop enduring partnerships, build engagement capability across the University, and embed research engagement and impact as core components of research excellence.

As the Research Engagement Manager – Māori, you will play a pivotal role in building and strengthening relationships with iwi, hapū, Māori organisations and communities, helping to ensure Māori aspirations and priorities are reflected in the University's research partnerships and impact agenda

He kōrero mōu | About you

You are a strategic relationship builder with a passion for connecting people, ideas and research to create meaningful outcomes for Māori communities. You bring significant experience in research engagement, strategic partnerships, knowledge mobilisation, science communication, business development or a related field, along with a demonstrated ability to build and sustain trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.

You have experience engaging effectively with Māori communities, iwi and hapū and can confidently apply kaupapa Māori principles and tikanga in your professional practice. You also bring a strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within research engagement and partnership development.

Skills and experience that are required:

• A minimum of five years' experience in research engagement, knowledge mobilisation, science communication, business development, or a related strategic partnership role.
• Demonstrated success in building and sustaining high-trust relationships across diverse stakeholder groups, including government agencies, industry, iwi and hapū, community organisations, and policy leaders.
• Proven experience engaging with Māori communities, iwi and hapū in research or partnership contexts, with the ability to apply kaupapa Māori principles and tikanga appropriately in professional practice.
• Deep understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and their strategic application within research engagement and partnership practice.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland - is New Zealand's leading university and offers an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices
• Up to 6.75% employer superannuation contribution
• Five weeks' annual leave
• Career development and professional learning opportunities
• Generous parental leave provisions
• Excellent campus facilities
• Access to a range of staff benefits, wellbeing initiatives, and discounts

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online by the closing date of Friday 18th of September 2026 to be considered. Please include your cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience and your current curriculum vitae (CV)

For any questions related to the role, please reach out to the Recruitment Team on recruitment.team@auckland.ac.nz

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Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to