Senior Advisor - Māori Collections

• GLAM sector experience with a strong collections or publishing background
• Have experience in designing, developing, and implementing innovative kaupapa
• Salary offer between $110K - $120K per annum

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Te Waka Kerewai – The Māori Outcomes Delivery Unit is seeking an individual who is passionate about the role that mātauranga Māori, taonga tuku iho, and Māori collections play in strengthening identity, belonging, and connection for whānau Māori. As the Senior Advisor Māori Collections, you will play a significant role in shaping the future of Māori collections, mātauranga Māori, and knowledge systems across Auckland Libraries and beyond.

Working at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and cultural leadership, you will help create the conditions for Māori collections to flourish as living and evolving expressions of identity, language, knowledge, and creativity. You will influence how collections are developed, described, accessed, and experienced, ensuring they remain relevant and meaningful for current and future generations. As part of the largest public library network in Aotearoa, this role provides a unique opportunity to influence not only organisational practice, but also wider sector conversations relating to Māori publishing, authorship, metadata, collection development, knowledge stewardship, and access to mātauranga Māori. We are looking for someone who sees the possibilities ahead and is excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of Māori collections at a local, regional, and national level.

What you can expect to work on includes:

• Leading the strategic direction for embedding mātauranga Māori across library collections, systems, services, and spaces.
• Developing and implementing frameworks, policies, and guidance that ensure Māori collections are governed, accessed, described, and shared in ways that align with kaupapa Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Providing senior-level strategic advice and influencing organisational systems, processes, capability, and decision-making to deliver enduring Māori outcomes.
• Building strong partnerships with iwi, Māori communities, sector leaders, and internal stakeholders while representing Auckland Libraries in sector-wide conversations and initiatives.
• Driving innovation, capability building, and continuous improvement by equipping staff with practical tools and guidance, and embedding best-practice approaches into business-as-usual operations. 

Click this link to access the Position Description

He kōrero mōu: About you

You will bring a strong grounding in te ao Māori, with a good command of te reo Māori and sound knowledge of tikanga and kawa Māori across a range of settings. With experience in the GLAM sector, ideally supported by a strong collections, library and information services, or publishing background, you will understand the importance of caring for, describing, accessing, and activating Māori collections in ways that uphold mātauranga Māori and support meaningful outcomes for whānau Māori.

A confident relationship-builder, you will be comfortable working with iwi, Māori communities, sector partners, and internal stakeholders to influence change and bring kaupapa to life. You will bring strategic thinking, fresh ideas, resilience, and a growth mindset, along with experience designing, developing, and implementing innovative kaupapa or Māori-centric frameworks that support long-term system change.

What you’ll bring:

• Approximately five or more years’ experience in the GLAM sector, with demonstrated collections experience and knowledge of library and information services, operations, standards, trends, and emerging practice.
• A good command of te reo Māori, alongside strong knowledge of tikanga, kawa, te ao Māori, kaupapa Māori, and intercultural settings.
• A good awareness of the publishing sector, including Māori publishing, authorship, metadata, collection development, and access to mātauranga Māori.
• Proven ability to develop and implement innovative, strategic, and practical solutions that support Māori-centric frameworks, system change, and enduring Māori outcomes.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, planning, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence effectively across a complex environment.
• A growth mindset, resilience, and the ability to think strategically while turning kaupapa into practical action.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

Auckland Council is one of the largest local authorities in the South Pacific, providing essential services and facilities to more than 1.5 million people. We are committed to environmental action and delivering a transformational shift for Māori living in Tāmaki Makaurau.

In return for your hard work, you can expect a flexible and supportive work environment and lots of opportunities for growth and development. You’ll work with a team of remarkable and talented professionals who have a passion for climate action and delivering outcomes with and for Māori. On top of this, as part of our Auckland Council Group, you will gain access to many benefits and discounts. Click this link to find out more about our employee benefits package.

Ka noho teina te tangata, ka noho tuakana te taiao. This whakatauki acknowledges the antiquity of te taiao and solidifies our co-existence and interdependence with nature.

If you have any questions about this role, please email me kennedy.sua@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Applications close Sunday 21 June 2026

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.