Leadership Advisor, Pacific

Role overview

The Ministry of Education New Zealand is seeking a Special Focus Leadership Advisor for Tangata o le Moana. This fixed-term, full-time secondment is based in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland and is scheduled to begin on 28 January 2027. The assignment will run for 12 to 24 months, and the successful candidate will be based in and support the Tāmaki and Te Tai Tokerau regions.

This position is part of an expanded leadership advisory service designed to provide more targeted support to different parts of the principal and school sector. The role is intended for an experienced educational leader who can offer trusted advice, coaching, and practical support to principals and school leaders.

What the role involves

In this role, you will work alongside sector partners and Te Mahau | Education Services to help develop effective and innovative responses to the evolving needs of Pacific principals. You will build strong working relationships with Te Mahau teams across the regions you serve, NZPPA, the other Tangata o le Moana advisor based in Wellington, and leadership advisors across Aotearoa New Zealand.

You will report to the Director of Education for Tāmaki Herenga Waka and receive national support from the Chief Advisor, Leadership Advisory Service, and the Chief Advisor, Pacific. The role focuses on strengthening leadership capability in schools and kura, addressing issues as they arise, and being a highly trusted professional voice in the sector.

You will also collaborate with regional colleagues, help spread effective practice across the system, and support networks such as clusters of schools to encourage innovative approaches to curriculum design, teaching, and learning.

Candidate profile

The ideal applicant will be a highly experienced current or recently retired school principal, with retirement having occurred within the last 12 to 24 months. You should bring strong first-hand understanding of a principal’s responsibilities, confidence working across the education sector, and prior experience supporting Pacific principals and Pacific education.

You should have credibility and standing in the sector, relate well to others, and lead with integrity. The role also calls for demonstrated capability in school management as well as strategic and instructional leadership, along with the ability to coach and support leaders across primary, intermediate, and secondary settings.

Applicants must be willing to follow Public Service standards of integrity and conduct.

Application details

Applicants are asked to submit a completed Expression of Interest form and a CV only. A cover letter is not required. The two uploads required are: the EOI form with a letter of endorsement from the Board, and a CV. Applicants are also invited to share their values, motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the perspectives they would bring to the role.

For general enquiries about this Special Focus Leadership Advisor position, contact Deidre Alderson, Director of Education for Tāmaki Herenga Waka.

Additional information

Date advertised: 22 Jun 2026

Job type: Fixed term

The current or most recent terms of employment and remuneration will apply.

Applications are being sought for the Lower North Island Pacific Leadership Advisor role through secondments of 12 or 24 months.

Applications close at 5.00 pm on Monday 27 July 2026.

If you need support or adjustments to take part in the recruitment process, assistance can be arranged.

There is one vacancy for this position.