Kaihautū Chief Executive

Te Tauraki Limited – Te Waipounamu

Te Tauraki Limited is the iwi-owned subsidiary of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, established to advance health and wellbeing aspirations within the Ngāi Tahu takiwā and to amplify whānau Māori voice, monitor the system, and influence the Crown. Te Tauraki is also a Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency and continues building a broader commissioning mandate - grounded in evidence, and a strong data and analytics capability.

Te Tauraki exists as an Iwi-Māori Partnership Board (“IMPB”), commissioning, data, and strategic influence vehicle, operating with high scrutiny and accountability under Crown contracts and within iwi relationships.

We are seeking an exceptional Kaihautū (Chief Executive) to lead Te Tauraki through its next phase of organisational maturity, growth and system influence, continuing to position Te Tauraki as a credible, trusted and enduring advocate.

TE ANGITŪ

This is a unique opportunity to lead a kaupapa-driven organisation with a clear strategic ambition: to strengthen evidence-based, whānau-centred solutions; expand commissioning opportunities; and use data, insights and evaluation to influence decisions and redesign systems for equitable long-term outcomes.

As Kaihautū, You Will

• Provide executive leadership and accountability across delivery of strategy, operations, commissioning, investment, compliance, performance outcomes, and stakeholder relationships.
• Lead Te Tauraki as a system level executive, operating at the intersection of Crown, iwi and Māori interests, building strategic alliances and advancing transformative outcomes through data-informed, whānau-centred approaches.
• Deliver the Board’s strategic direction, ensuring organisational strategy, structure and capability are fit-for-purpose to support growth, influence and sustainability.
• Oversee commissioning strategies and secure additional high value commissioning agreements, growing and diversifying revenue streams and reducing business risks.
• Champion data and analytics capability as a core strategic asset, translating insight into influence while upholding high standards of data governance, security, reporting and compliance.
• Lead high-trust relationships across iwi, Crown agencies and providers, navigating political sensitivities while protecting organisational independence, integrity and credibility.
• Work closely and support the Board through high-quality reporting, risk management, and performance delivery against approved strategies, business plans and budgets.
  
  

HE KŌRERO MŌU AKE

You are a senior executive of mana and integrity, with the strategic breadth to operate at a commissioning and system-influence level, and the political maturity to engage confidently across iwi and Crown contexts.

You Bring

• Proven executive leadership experience at CE / GM / Tier 1 level, with strong governance literacy and confidence working closely with Boards.
• A strong commercial orientation and a track record of negotiation, growth and delivery, comfortable operating with “big budgets, small teams” and securing complex, relationship-based agreements for iwi benefit.
• Experience in the machinery of government, commissioning, funding, and outcome-based contracting (ideally across iwi, Māori health, and/or social investment settings), with the agility to pursue and close new opportunities.
• Strong data literacy and the ability to champion evidence, insights and evaluation as a strategic lever.
• Cultural fluency or a genuine commitment to iwi Māori outcomes, with and understanding of te ao Māori.
• Exceptional relationship building capability across iwi, Crown agencies and providers with proven ability to build trust and protect integrity in politically sensitive environments.
  
  

TONO MAI

If you are ready to strengthen whānau Māori health and wellbeing in Te Waipounamu through disciplined growth, and data-led impact we welcome your application.

For a confidential kōrero or a copy of the position description, please contact:

Carl Church Waea: 021 166 6441 Īmēra: carl.church@nicherecruitment.co.nz

Applications close: 6 May 2026

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