Cross-rohe role | Service-facing | Counties Manukau / South Auckland
“Kotahi te kōhao o te ngira e kuhuna ai te miro mā, te miro pango, te miro whero.”
There is but one eye of the needle, through which the white, black and red threads must pass.
Kia Ora Ake means: may our tamariki be better, be stronger, and have wellbeing.
Kia Ora Ake is the locally co-designed tamariki hinengaro wellbeing approach for Counties Manukau and forms part of the national Mana Ake programme. We support primary and intermediate-aged tamariki, their whānau, kura and schools through early intervention, group-based programmes, whānau engagement and coordinated pathways.
This is a kanohi ki te kanohi role based at Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust, a kaupapa Māori social service provider grounded in Te Kawa o te Marae. The role works across our wider Kia Ora Ake provider network and supports cultural integrity, access and consistency across the rohe.
It is a visible, relational and service-facing role. You will help strengthen engagement with kura, whānau, Mana Whenua and community partners, so Kia Ora Ake is experienced as practical, responsive and grounded in the realities of tamariki, whānau, kura and community.
Mō te tūnga | About the role
The Kia Ora Ake Cultural Liaison Māori is a cross-rohe role working alongside Kia Ora Ake providers, Kaiārahi, Kaimanaaki, kura, schools, whānau and community partners.
This role supports whakawhanaungatanga across the service network, strengthens trust and helps kaimahi and providers hold culturally grounded practice in day-to-day delivery.
You will support providers to engage well with kura and whānau, particularly where local context, tikanga, whakapapa, whenua connections, trust-building or cultural clarity are important. You will help identify barriers that impact access and participation for tamariki Māori, whānau Māori and other priority communities, and contribute to practical solutions that improve the service experience.
A key part of this role is supporting engagement with Kura Māori, Kura Kaupapa Māori, Wharekura and Māori-medium settings in a way that respects existing kaupapa, honours Mana Whenua aspirations and avoids duplicating what is already strong within those spaces.
He aha ngā mahi | What you will be doing
Work alongside Kia Ora Ake providers and kaimahi to strengthen culturally grounded engagement with kura, schools, whānau and community.
Support whakawhanaungatanga across the provider network, helping build trusted relationships and shared understanding of the Kia Ora Ake kaupapa.
Provide practical cultural advice and support within scope, including guidance around tikanga, Te Ao Māori, local context, whānau engagement and culturally safe communication.
Support providers and kaimahi to consider pūrākau, whakataukī, mātauranga Māori and local whenua connections in programme planning where appropriate.
Work alongside providers to identify barriers to access, engagement and participation, and contribute to practical service improvements.
Support culturally safe engagement across mainstream, Māori-medium, kura and community settings.
Maintain clear boundaries and escalate any risk, safety, child protection or clinical concerns through the correct provider and Kia Ora Ake pathways.
Ideally, you will bring:
• Experience working with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, kura, schools, iwi, hapū, marae, community or hauora services.
• A strong understanding of Te Ao Māori, tikanga and whānau-centred practice.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, cultural safety and the ongoing impacts of colonisation.
• Confidence building relationships across different providers, teams, kura and community settings.
• Ability to engage respectfully and effectively with diverse communities.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to support workshops, programmes, hui or group sessions where required.
• Good organisation, time management and record keeping.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with care and professionalism.
• Ability to support cultural practice while maintaining clear boundaries around clinical decision-making, formal supervision and risk.
• Ability to work across a mobile, cross-rohe role.
• A full current driver licence.
Me pēhea te tono | How to apply
If this sounds like the kind of mahi you are ready to step into, we would welcome your application.
Applications close: 23 October 2026
For a kōrero about the role, contact: [email protected]