Team Manager - Kotahitanga
Date: 4 Jan 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
• Wellington based
• Permanent role
If you’re keen to use your skills to help us deliver better outcomes for our communities, we’d love to hear from you.
About us
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.
About our team | Mō te tīma:
The Māori, Communities and Partnerships Group is responsible for building capability across MSD to support the aspirations of Māori and connecting and collaborating to build effective partnerships and community approaches that achieve better outcomes for those who most need our support.
MSD – services for the future programme is about MSD’s future role and how we can make a bigger and better difference for New Zealanders. It will help us achieve the shifts we want to make to achieve our strategic goal, Te Pae Tawhiti.
Kotahitanga is one of the service streams within MSD – services for the future, Kotahitanga is all about how we are stronger when we work together with partners - external groups, organisations, and agencies to improve the delivery of our services to New Zealanders. MSD has a large and diverse range of partners that we work with in spaces such as employment, housing, capability building, services for disabled people, community services, and more.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
We’re looking for a Team Manager to lead our Reporting and Information team. You’ll use data and information to help us make good decisions, improve our services, and support our people. You’ll also help us look ahead, making sure we’re ready for the future.
You’ll manage our data and information environment, provide analysis and insights on how we’re performing, and support responses to Official Information Act (OIA) and Ministerial requests. You’ll work closely with other teams and help us keep improving how we do things.
What you’ll be doing | Ko te mahi:
• Leading a team to deliver high-quality reporting and information services
• Using data to support decision-making and improve performance
• Providing advice and support to staff on reporting and information matters
• Making sure our policies and procedures are up to date and followed
• Supporting strategic planning and reporting
• Building strong relationships with other teams and stakeholders
• Embedding Te Ao Māori in your work and supporting your team to do the same
• Making sure health, safety, and wellbeing policies are followed
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
• Experience in reporting and information operations, ideally in a large organisation
• Strong analytical skills and experience presenting advice to senior managers
• Proven leadership skills and experience managing a team
• Good understanding of government processes and systems
• Ability to build strong relationships and work well with others
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and working in partnership with Māori
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to work in a fast-changing environment
You’ll be part of a team that cares about making a difference for New Zealanders. We value diversity and are committed to supporting our people to grow and succeed.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $122,381.00 - $152,296.00
How to apply
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: Sunday 18th January, 2026.
Joining us
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.
