Regional Commissioner for Social Development, Northland
Date: 27 Aug 2025
Location: Northland, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
About us / Mō mātou
The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.
Regional Commissioner for Social Development, Northland
• Northland region (based in Whangarei)
• Permanent, Full Time
• Ko te pae tawhiti Whāia kia tata, ko te pae tata Whakamaua kia tina
• Seek out the distant horizons, while cherishing those achievements at hand
• Helping mokopuna, tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, families and communities is at the centre of what we do
As the lead agency for the social sector, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is responsible for providing social policy advice and administering New Zealand’s social services. Our mission is to support New Zealanders to be safe, strong, and independent. MSD plays a critical role in enabling social and economic wellbeing, and the Regional Commissioner is central to delivering this mission in Te Tai Tokerau.
The Regional Commissioner is responsible for overseeing service delivery, leading regional strategy, and representing the Ministry across government, iwi, community organisations, and industry. This role requires a deep understanding of the region’s unique social, cultural, and economic landscape, and a commitment to working in partnership with others to make a lasting difference in the lives of the people we serve.
MSD’s Northland region is geographically vast and diverse, stretching from Kaiwaka in the south, Kaipara in the west, Mangawhai in the east, all the way up to Cape Reinga at the northernmost tip of Aotearoa. We have seven service centres spread across the region’s urban centres – Whangārei, Kamo, Dargaville, Kawakawa, Kaikohe, Kerikeri and Kaitaia – each with distinct identities, economies, and social challenges.
Northland has a significant Māori population, with Māori comprising approximately 37% of the region’s total population. Our region also has growing Pacific and multi-ethnic populations and a notable proportion of older residents. These demographics shape the region’s priorities and require culturally responsive, community-led approaches. We pride ourselves in partnering with others to collectively grow talent within our region.
MSD is a trusted public sector partner in Northland, holding a significant role in implementing regional strategies and action plans as a member of the Regional Leadership Governance Group. We are also proud of our strong relationships with Te Kahu o Taonui (Te Tai Tokerau Iwi Collective) and the Te Hiku Social Accord.
We work collaboratively with other government agencies, non-government organisations, advisory and industry groups, communities, and iwi to lift the region’s divergent economies and strengthen social wellbeing – principally through employment and training initiatives. Ultimately, we play a vital role in shaping the wellbeing of the region – supporting whānau to thrive, enabling communities to lead, and ensuring that MSD’s services are delivered with integrity.
As a Regional Commissioner you will:
• Provide leadership of your people to support New Zealanders with employment, housing, social wellbeing and income support
• Partner with iwi to support their aspirations
• Work with partners to identify priorities, challenges and opportunities and enable solutions to improve the lives of the whānau we serve
• Understand and address fundamental barriers to long term social and economic wellbeing
• Put our knowledge to work – contribute to a whole of government solution to uncover future realities and opportunities for our people by sharing our knowledge
• Identify and respond to changes and trends in regional employment and economic outcomes in order to future proof our workforce and support industry led solutions to current and future labour demands
• Proactively work with partners to support local emergency or social impacts that require a welfare/recovery response
Requirements for the role
• Proven ability to drive strategic and operational performance across a large and complex team
• Natural ability to use information and data to support you to implement strategy, influence change, and maintain a high-performance culture
• You will have, or can build, credibility within Iwi, Hapū, Community, and other government agencies, enabling effective partnerships and engagement
• Substantial experience operating at a senior level focusing on delivery to client groups
• You will have proven expertise in creating an environment that fosters growth and development
• This is a busy and challenging leadership role and includes participation in a collegial leadership team committed to supporting people to deliver quality services
• This role requires exceptional relationship management skills to work with a wide range of stakeholders
Position Description
Salary range: $198,140.00 - $262,278.00
How to apply / Me pēhea te tuku tono
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz
Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Closing date: 11 September 2025
Joining us / Ko te hono mai
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.
