Kaiārahi Tikanga | Cultural Guide
At Porirua City Council, we’re committed to building a city that reflects, celebrates and strengthens te ao Māori, te reo Māori me ōna tikanga. We’re looking for a passionate and experienced Kaiārahi Tikanga – Cultural Guide to join our team and help lead this important kaupapa.
This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact across Council and the wider Porirua community by supporting cultural capability, strengthening relationships with mana whenua and Māori communities, and championing te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in everyday practice.
About the role
As Kaiārahi Tikanga, you’ll play an important role in supporting the delivery of Maungaroa 2050 and helping Council build authentic, respectful and enduring relationships with iwi, hapū and taurahere communities.
You’ll provide trusted cultural guidance and support across the organisation while helping create opportunities for staff and the community to grow their understanding and confidence in kaupapa Māori.
Your work will include:
- leading and supporting pōwhiri, karakia, mihi, Karanga, whaikōrero and other cultural protocols and ceremonies
- providing expert advice and guidance on tikanga Māori and te reo Māori
- supporting Council staff to grow confidence using te reo Māori in daily work
- building and maintaining strong relationships with Ngāti Toa Rangatira, marae, iwi partners and Māori community groups
- supporting Māori engagement across Council projects, strategies and initiatives
- helping deliver Council and community events and projects.
- leading the Council waiata group and supporting internal cultural capability development.
About you
You’ll be someone who brings warmth, charisma, mana, authenticity and strong relationship-building skills to everything you do.
You’ll also have:
- high fluency in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga
- strong understanding and lived experience of tikanga Māori, including confidence with karakia, mihi, Karanga and whaikōrero
- excellent communication and public speaking skills in both te reo Māori and English
- experience providing cultural advice and guidance to others
- a strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse groups and communities
- excellent organisation and computer skills
- a collaborative and supportive approach.
If you also bring some musical ability with strengths in waiata and / or kapa haka, or an interest in developing project management skills, that would be a bonus.
What you need to do now
Join us and contribute to the cultural identity and future of Porirua while supporting meaningful change across Council and the community. Please contact Jade Williams, Manager Māori Strategy on 021 314 396 for more information.
Porirua City embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We actively encourage applications by people from all backgrounds and are a member of Te Uru Tāngata. If you have any support or access requirements during our recruitment process, please let us know when you apply, and we’ll do our best to get you sorted.
You will need to apply via our careers centre: www.poriruacity.govt.nz/careers
To find out more about working for Porirua City Watch this video
Applications close on Wednesday 10 June 2026.
Permanent Full Time
Job no: 2026-5797
Location: Porirua
Closing Date: Wednesday, 10 June 2026
