About the role

Te Kāhui o Taranaki Iwi is seeking a passionate and experienced Kaiwhakahaere Takutai Whenua to lead an ambitious three-year coastal restoration programme across 79km of the Taranaki coastline. This role will lead the identification, protection and restoration of critically endangered coastal turf ecosystems, while strengthening the capability of uri, hapū, marae, kura and community groups to continue this mahi long into the future. Working within the Taiao team, you'll combine ecological monitoring, restoration planning, threatened species protection, community engagement, project management and mātauranga Māori to deliver a nationally significant conservation programme funded through the DOC Community Fund.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the survey and mapping of coastal turf ecosystems across the Taranaki Iwi rohe

• Coordinate restoration, monitoring, eco-sourcing and planting programmes

• Work alongside hapū, marae, pā, kura, landowners, DOC and community partners

• Deliver wānanga, volunteer events and environmental education initiatives

• Manage project milestones, reporting and programme delivery

• Integrate mātauranga Māori and western science to achieve meaningful environmental outcomes

About you

• Experience in environmental restoration, conservation, ecology or natural resource management

• Strong relationship-building and project coordination skills

• Experience working with iwi, hapū and community conservation initiatives

• Practical and adaptable approach

• Commitment to tikanga Māori

• Passion for protecting taonga species and habitats

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to lead a flagship restoration project that will shape the future of coastal conservation in Taranaki. Your work will help protect rare ecosystems, strengthen iwi-led environmental management, and empower the next generation of kaitiaki.