About Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust
Te Here-ā-Nuku is an intergenerational endowment trust for the collective benefit of Ngā Uri. With origins dating back to 1845, the Trust has a long history, including generations of advocacy and legal proceedings by whānau to restore the rights and interests of Ngā Uri in the whenua and other taonga of the Nelson Tenths. This new chapter exists because of their efforts.

Following the return of the Trust to the control of Ngā Uri, we are now building a small team and establishing the operations, relationships and systems needed to fulfil our responsibilities to Ngā Uri, care for the whenua and taonga, and support the Trust’s purpose for generations to come.

There is important mahi ahead, and we are building carefully. We are looking for people who bring sound judgement, initiative, humility and integrity, alongside a genuine commitment to working with others in service of Ngā Uri.

Te Āheinga/The Opportunity
Reporting to the Transitional Executive Manager, the Pou Tuitui / Whenua and Relationships Lead will establish and lead Te Here-ā-Nuku’s whenua oversight function, helping shape how the Trust exercises its responsibilities as owner of the whenua on behalf of Ngā Uri.

This is a senior role that brings together whenua, relationships, agreements and governance. You will develop advice and recommendations on complex matters and work closely with the Transitional Executive Manager to support informed decisions by the Trustees, engaging directly with Trustees where required.

You will lead the implementation of the Kawenata, the agreement between Te Here-ā-Nuku and the Department of Conservation (DOC) that guides their ongoing relationship and responsibilities for the whenua. You will also oversee arrangements with organisations that have agreed responsibilities for managing and using particular whenua on behalf of the Trust (known as Control and Manage entities). This includes maintaining a clear understanding of the obligations, commitments and emerging issues affecting the whenua.

Working closely with DOC, Control and Manage entities, external advisers and other organisations, you will help ensure the Trust’s interests and responsibilities are understood, commitments are progressed, and matters requiring executive or Trustee consideration are identified early.

This is a hands-on role. There are few established systems and no large team behind you, so you’ll be doing the work as well as shaping it. As the Trust evolves, you will establish the systems, processes and ways of working that will support its whenua function for the long term.

Mōhou ake/About You
This opportunity will appeal to an experienced relationship, whenua, land or conservation professional with a proven ability to manage complex relationships and agreements involving multiple parties.

You will bring strong judgement, analytical thinking and the ability to understand legislation, agreements and professional advice, developing practical recommendations and knowing when matters require executive or Trustee consideration. You will be comfortable building trusted relationships and working through influence rather than authority.

Experience involving whenua, reserves, conservation, landowner responsibilities or Crown–Māori relationships would be valued, particularly experience working with Māori landowners, iwi or within a kaupapa Māori environment.

Ngā Painga o te Hono ki Te Here-ā-Nuku /Why Join Te Here-ā-Nuku?
This is an opportunity to help build something that will endure. You will shape, from the very beginning, how Te Here-ā-Nuku cares for the whenua and exercises its responsibilities as owner, working directly with the Transitional Executive Manager and Trustees at a significant moment in the Trust’s history. The work you do now will help establish how the Trust fulfils its responsibilities to Ngā Uri for generations to come.

To view the job description click here
  
If this opportunity appeals to you, we would welcome your application.

Applications close 27 November 2026

Me pēhea te tuku tono/How to Apply 
Please apply online.

For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Emily Bissett on 027 228 5999 or emily@intepeople.co.nz.