Vacancy: Principal Advisor Māori Whānau Lived Experience

• Are you looking for a role that will have a positive impact on the lives of all people in Aotearoa New Zealand?
• Permanent role
• Based in Wellington CBD with flexible work arrangements
• Lived experience leadership
• Work on issues at the heart of Aotearoa New Zealanders’ wellbeing
• Committed to be grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission contributes to better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for all people in Aotearoa.  We have leadership and oversight roles of the mental health and addiction system with monitoring, advocacy, and engagement functions.

The Principal Advisor Lived Experience plays a key role in supporting Te Hiringa Mahara as we assess and report on system performance, monitor mental health and addiction services, and advocate for the collective interests of people with lived experience of mental distress and / or addiction.  

Reporting to the Director Mental Health and Addiction Sector Leadership, you will provide expert advice to ensure that the Commission amplifies the voices of Māori with lived experience of mental distress or addiction (or both) and their whānau. 

You will do this by developing and strengthening relationships with tāngata whai ora networks and whānau organisations and drawing on knowledge developed through personal experience of mental distress and/or addiction. Integral to your success in this position will be your ability to understand tāngata whai ora and whānau experiences from a Māori worldview.

This is a key position that supports the work of Te Hiringa Mahara to understand and advocate for the collective interests of whānau and tāngata whai ora. This will help drive system transformation that centres equity, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the rights of Māori, and the moemoea expressed by whānau and tāngata whai ora across Aotearoa.

We are looking for someone who: 

• can draw on your own personal expert knowledge of lived experience concepts, knowledge, and understanding of frameworks
• has extensive networks in the mental health and addiction sector
• has leadership experience within the mental health and addiction sector on a national level, and expert level experience working with lived experience communities
• has a strong knowledge of Te Ao Māori, te reo me ōna tikanga as it relates to lived experience communities.

This is a great time to join our small team and contribute to improving mental health and wellbeing for all people living in Aotearoa.

We want our workforce to reflect our communities across Aotearoa and are actively seeking applications from people who represent this diversity. We offer flexible working arrangements – you can work from anywhere across the country but will need to be in the Wellington offices a minimum of 3 days a fortnight. This is a full-time position, but part-time hours can be negotiated.  

To apply, view the position description, then provide a cover letter along with your CV  and completed application form.  Please send your completed application to hr@mhwc.govt.nz

Applications for this role close on Thursday, 13 March 2025.