Principal Advisor, HR. People, Capability & Culture

• Strategic HR role + leadership
• Partner with the business to ensure credibility of advice and service delivery
• Lead key pieces of work to enable the organisation

Our Governance and Corporate puni is looking for a Aporei, Mana Tāngata | Principal Advisor, HR. This role provides high-quality, generalist HR advice and leadership to the business, leads one HR Advisor and forms part of a high performing HR leadership team.

The Governance and Corporate puni promotes high quality decision making, integrity, resource allocation, and risk management. It connects Ministers and the Ministry, monitors statutory entities, and drives consistent Crown practice in Treaty settlement commitments. The Governance and Corporate Puni cover the following functions:

• Finance, Property and Procurement
• Legal Services
• Ministerial and Governance Services
• People, Capability and Culture
• Risk and Assurance
• Statutory Entity Monitoring and Appointments
• Treaty of Waitangi settlement commitments, and significant settlement resolution issues

Te whai wāhitanga | The opportunity

Reporting into the General Manager – People, Capability and Culture, a key focus for this role will be to maintain and increase the credibility of advice, service delivery and the reputation of the PCC directorate within Te Puni Kokiri. As one of two Principal Advisors, HR, you will be responsible for credible strategic and operational HR advice to your business portfolio and provide the full spectrum of HR services, including employment relations, change management, performance management, leadership capability, workforce management and planning.

You will act as an escalation point for the HR Advisor, supporting them to deliver high quality, consistent advice to the organisation, as well as contributing to the PCC workplan, alongside the PCC leadership team.

You will support the annual remuneration and performance review process for the organisation, as well as support with collective bargaining. You’ll also ensure the range of policies and processes supporting our PCC function are reviewed and maintained as appropriate.

The likely appointment range is $124,242 - $138,046 based on skills and experience. The full grade for this role is $124,242 – $165,657 with a mid-point of $138,046.

For more information about the skills and experience required for this position, please see the job description below.

Mōu | About you

You will have several years of experience as an HR Business Partner, or similar and will have experience leading other HR professionals or functions (e.g. Employment Relations).

You will be a strong communicator, who is able to build and manage relationships with all levels of stakeholders, but in particular, senior leaders including senior executives. You will place emphasis on collaboration and partnering in your approach to work and be able to balance policy and pragmatism.

You will bring a strong emphasis on delivering outcomes for the business and bring a commercial approach to HR processes. This will be a determining factor in maintaining and lifting the credibility of the PCC function.

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

We are committed to our vision of 'Thriving Whānau' - when whānau are thriving, so do their communities, hapū, iwi and all of Aotearoa. Te Puni Kōkiri leads policy advice to the Government on Māori development, and Iwi and Māori relations with the Crown. Our people are at the heart of the work we do – using our approaches to improve outcomes to, for and with Māori, and to drive our efforts to build an Aotearoa where whānau can all stand, thrive and belong.

Find out more about Our Story

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 aukati ngā tono hei te 21 Pipiri 2026 ā te 11.55pm | Applications close on 21 June 2026 at 11.55pm.

Tukuna mai tau tono ā-ipurangi | Please submit your application online.

Nau mai rā ko ngā tononga i te reo Māori, te reo Pākehā, te reorua rānei | We welcome applications in te reo Māori, English, or both.

Īmēratia ***email_hidden*** me he pātai āu | Email ***email_hidden*** 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: ***email_hidden***

Job Details

Reference #

17734

Posted on

11 Jun 2026

Closes on

21 Jun 2026 23:55

Location(s)

Wellington

Expertise

Advisor, Human Resources

Job level(s)

Principal Advisor

Work type(s)

Permanent full-time