Job Description
Full job description
Te Puni Kōkiri leads policy advice to the Government on Māori development, and Iwi and Māori relations with the Crown. To do this effectively we must position ourselves to elevate our monitoring and mentoring responsibilities and emphasise our role in holding other agencies to account for delivery of public services to, for and with Māori.
Our Ngā Ratonga Ture tīma | Legal Services Team is looking for a Poutoko Ture Aporei – Te Tiriti | Principal Solicitor – Treaty. This role sits within our Corporate puni, reports to the Kaiārahi a Ture | Manager, Legal Services and is a full-time, permanent opportunity.
Te whai wāhitanga | The opportunity
The Principal Solicitor - Treaty will assist the Manager, Legal Services to manage legal issues, litigation and litigation adjacent workstreams in the area of Treaty settlements, post settlement commitments and the Māori Crown Relationship.
Other areas you will also be required to advise on include:
Ministerial powers and responsibilities
Legal and legislative compliance
Legislation administered by Te Puni Kōkiri
Crown Entity monitoring
Law reform initiatives, policy projects and programme initiatives
The likely appointment range is $133,248 - $153,235 based on skills and experience.
For more information about the skills and experience required for this position, please see the job description below.
Mōu | About you
Resilient and dedicated, you are a candidate that has a passion for working with and understands the significant issues prevalent in the area of Māori Affairs, Treaty settlements and Māori Crown relationships. You will have:
Leadership: 10+ years in senior management within large, complex organisations; proven strategic and operational leadership.
Legal Expertise: Law degree, current practising certificate, and extensive advisory experience on Treaty settlements, post-settlement commitments, and Māori Crown relationships.
Māori Engagement: Strong experience working with hapū, iwi, and Māori communities; deep understanding of te ao Māori and tikanga.
Stakeholder Management: Ability to brief Ministers and senior leaders, maintain trust, and navigate political contexts.
Strategic Influence: Track record leading agency strategies, representing organisations at interagency forums, and resolving complex legal issues.
Government Knowledge: Excellent understanding of the machinery of government; proven ability to lead major projects from conception to completion.
Networks: Established relationships across government and Māori sectors; ability to leverage networks effectively.
Language & Cultural Competence: A level of competency in te reo Māori that will enable you to undertake all the requirements of this position.
Compliance: Working knowledge of Māori Affairs legislation administered by Te Puni Kōkiri and general legislative obligations that apply to public service agencies, in particular the Official Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 2020 obligations.
Tāu e whai ai | What you will get in return
Te Puni Kōkiri is a diverse and rewarding working environment full of passionate kaimahi focused on creating solutions that will help our communities. We are guided by our values of te wero, manaakitanga, he toa takitini and ture tangata.
There is more to life than just work and we encourage our kaimahi to maintain the right balance between mahi and their personal lives. Your whānau is just as important as you, so we're committed to providing incentives and opportunities that help our kaimahi and their whānau to thrive, including:
A range of allowances including childcare, optical, hauora/wellbeing and te reo Māori proficiency
Medical insurance discounts
Flexible working options
In house te reo Māori training
Kaimahi development and career options, including study assistance
Enhanced parental leave provisions
Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development
Te Puni Kōkiri is committed to our vision of 'Whānau Taurikura' - 'Thriving Whānau'. We consider that when whānau are thriving, so do their communities, hapū, iwi and all of Aotearoa. This underpins everything we do.
Our people are at the heart of achieving this vision and it is our people who contribute to supporting Māori collective success. They do this by creating and maintaining relationships with iwi, hapū and whānau Māori and government at both a local and national level. It is this that enables Māori participation and success as Māori, and it is our people who will create a future where all whānau can thrive.
We invite applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We believe that diversity fuels innovation and enriches our collective strength. Your unique perspectives, skills, and heritage contribute to our mission of advancing Māori aspirations and well-being.
Tono mai | Apply Now!
Ka akiākina koe kia tukuna mai tō tononga i tēnei rangi tonu, kia whakapāngia rānei tētahi Ringa Taritari e kōrero ai mō ngā painga o tēnei whai wāhitanga, me tōna hāngai ki ō whāinga ā-umanga. Nau mai rā ko ngā tononga i te reo Māori, te reo Pākehā, te reorua rānei.
We encourage you to apply today or get in touch with one of our Recruitment Partners to discuss how this great opportunity will fit with your career goals. We welcome applications in te reo Māori, English, or both.
Tukuna mai tau tono ā-ipurangi | Please submit your application online.
Īmēratia vacancy@tpk.govt.nz me he pātai āu | Please email vacancy@tpk.govt.nz with any pātai.
We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing: vacancy@tpk.govt.nz
Ka aukati ngā tono hei te 25 Hakihea 2026 ā te 11.55pm | Applications close on 25 December 2026 at 11.55pm.
Please note, the last day of mahi for the year for Te Puni Kōkiri kaimahi is Rāmere 19 Hakihea / Friday 19 December. We will be back at mahi from Rāhina 5 Kohitātea / Monday 5 January. We encourage you to reach out to us prior to the break if you have any questions about this role.
We will be shortlisting and interviewing for this role in the new year. We will be back in touch with you week commencing 5 Kohitātea / 5 January to provide an update on your application.
Job Details
Reference #
16274
Posted on
15 Dec 2026
Closes on
26 Dec 2026 00:00
Location(s)
Wellington
Expertise
Legal
Job level(s)
Senior Solicitor
Work type(s)
Permanent full-time
Te Puni Kōkiri leads policy advice to the Government on Māori development, and Iwi and Māori relations with the Crown. To do this effectively we must position ourselves to elevate our monitoring and mentoring responsibilities and emphasise our role in holding other agencies to account for delivery of public services to, for and with Māori.
Our Ngā Ratonga Ture tīma | Legal Services Team is looking for a Poutoko Ture Aporei – Te Tiriti | Principal Solicitor – Treaty. This role sits within our Corporate puni, reports to the Kaiārahi a Ture | Manager, Legal Services and is a full-time, permanent opportunity.
Te whai wāhitanga | The opportunity
The Principal Solicitor - Treaty will assist the Manager, Legal Services to manage legal issues, litigation and litigation adjacent workstreams in the area of Treaty settlements, post settlement commitments and the Māori Crown Relationship.
Other areas you will also be required to advise on include:
Ministerial powers and responsibilities
Legal and legislative compliance
Legislation administered by Te Puni Kōkiri
Crown Entity monitoring
Law reform initiatives, policy projects and programme initiatives
The likely appointment range is $133,248 - $153,235 based on skills and experience.
For more information about the skills and experience required for this position, please see the job description below.
Mōu | About you
Resilient and dedicated, you are a candidate that has a passion for working with and understands the significant issues prevalent in the area of Māori Affairs, Treaty settlements and Māori Crown relationships. You will have:
Leadership: 10+ years in senior management within large, complex organisations; proven strategic and operational leadership.
Legal Expertise: Law degree, current practising certificate, and extensive advisory experience on Treaty settlements, post-settlement commitments, and Māori Crown relationships.
Māori Engagement: Strong experience working with hapū, iwi, and Māori communities; deep understanding of te ao Māori and tikanga.
Stakeholder Management: Ability to brief Ministers and senior leaders, maintain trust, and navigate political contexts.
Strategic Influence: Track record leading agency strategies, representing organisations at interagency forums, and resolving complex legal issues.
Government Knowledge: Excellent understanding of the machinery of government; proven ability to lead major projects from conception to completion.
Networks: Established relationships across government and Māori sectors; ability to leverage networks effectively.
Language & Cultural Competence: A level of competency in te reo Māori that will enable you to undertake all the requirements of this position.
Compliance: Working knowledge of Māori Affairs legislation administered by Te Puni Kōkiri and general legislative obligations that apply to public service agencies, in particular the Official Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 2020 obligations.
Tāu e whai ai | What you will get in return
Te Puni Kōkiri is a diverse and rewarding working environment full of passionate kaimahi focused on creating solutions that will help our communities. We are guided by our values of te wero, manaakitanga, he toa takitini and ture tangata.
There is more to life than just work and we encourage our kaimahi to maintain the right balance between mahi and their personal lives. Your whānau is just as important as you, so we're committed to providing incentives and opportunities that help our kaimahi and their whānau to thrive, including:
A range of allowances including childcare, optical, hauora/wellbeing and te reo Māori proficiency
Medical insurance discounts
Flexible working options
In house te reo Māori training
Kaimahi development and career options, including study assistance
Enhanced parental leave provisions
Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development
Te Puni Kōkiri is committed to our vision of 'Whānau Taurikura' - 'Thriving Whānau'. We consider that when whānau are thriving, so do their communities, hapū, iwi and all of Aotearoa. This underpins everything we do.
Our people are at the heart of achieving this vision and it is our people who contribute to supporting Māori collective success. They do this by creating and maintaining relationships with iwi, hapū and whānau Māori and government at both a local and national level. It is this that enables Māori participation and success as Māori, and it is our people who will create a future where all whānau can thrive.
We invite applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We believe that diversity fuels innovation and enriches our collective strength. Your unique perspectives, skills, and heritage contribute to our mission of advancing Māori aspirations and well-being.
Tono mai | Apply Now!
Ka akiākina koe kia tukuna mai tō tononga i tēnei rangi tonu, kia whakapāngia rānei tētahi Ringa Taritari e kōrero ai mō ngā painga o tēnei whai wāhitanga, me tōna hāngai ki ō whāinga ā-umanga. Nau mai rā ko ngā tononga i te reo Māori, te reo Pākehā, te reorua rānei.
We encourage you to apply today or get in touch with one of our Recruitment Partners to discuss how this great opportunity will fit with your career goals. We welcome applications in te reo Māori, English, or both.
Tukuna mai tau tono ā-ipurangi | Please submit your application online.
Īmēratia vacancy@tpk.govt.nz me he pātai āu | Please email vacancy@tpk.govt.nz with any pātai.
We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing: vacancy@tpk.govt.nz
Ka aukati ngā tono hei te 25 Hakihea 2026 ā te 11.55pm | Applications close on 25 December 2026 at 11.55pm.
Please note, the last day of mahi for the year for Te Puni Kōkiri kaimahi is Rāmere 19 Hakihea / Friday 19 December. We will be back at mahi from Rāhina 5 Kohitātea / Monday 5 January. We encourage you to reach out to us prior to the break if you have any questions about this role.
We will be shortlisting and interviewing for this role in the new year. We will be back in touch with you week commencing 5 Kohitātea / 5 January to provide an update on your application.
Job Details
Reference #
16274
Posted on
15 Dec 2026
Closes on
26 Dec 2026 00:00
Location(s)
Wellington
Expertise
Legal
Job level(s)
Senior Solicitor
Work type(s)
Permanent full-time
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Poutoko Ture Aporei - Te Tiriti | Principal Solicitor - Treaty position is now open for candidates interested in the Legal Jobs sector. This role in Wellington offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Legal Jobs is a plus.
