NZCER is a bicultural, independent educational research organisation based in Wellington.
We have multiple education research, evaluation, and advisory projects on the go at any time. We also provide and support a suite of educational assessments, tools, and services, and have a publishing arm, NZCER Press.
Current opportunities:
Kairangahau Māori - Te Reo Rangatira and/or Pāngarau (Te Marautanga o Aotearoa)
Te Wāhanga Māori, the Māori Research Unit at NZCER, is seeking Kairangahau Māori with expertise in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa Tau 0-8, specifically in pānui, tuhituhi and/or pāngarau to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for an early-career or more experienced researcher to work within a kaupapa Māori research environment and contribute to nationally significant mahi.
You will be part of a team designing and implementing a kaupapa Māori research and monitoring programme that reflects the aspirations of mokopuna, their whānau, hapū and iwi. These newly established roles offer a unique opportunity for you to work at the cutting edge of kaupapa Māori research and monitoring with a particular focus on Te Tīrewa Mātai.
Te Tīrewa Mātai is Aotearoa’s New Zealand’s first national monitoring study designed specifically for mokopuna learning through te reo Māori, at Tau 3, 6 and 8. The study is grounded in Te Ao Māori, and places strong emphasis on cultural validity and Māori data sovereignty.
We welcome applications from people with:
- an understanding of kaupapa Māori approaches
- proficiency in te reo Māori
- expertise in or an interest in developing expertise in pānui, tuhituhi and/or pāngarau
- experience as a kaiako in Māori medium and/or kaupapa Māori settings desirable
- experience or an interest in aromatawai, whakamātautau, test development and analysis would be an advantage.
- analytical and critical thinking skills
- a passion for making a positive difference for ākonga Māori.
At NZCER, we are actively committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi to help us uphold mana Māori in our work, relationships, and ways of working. We value the importance of Māori language, culture and identity in all our practices. The successful candidates will become members of the Te Wāhanga-NZCER team and will ideally be based at our office in Wellington.
To view the position descriptions, click here for Kairangahau Māori and here for Kairangahau Matua Māori.
The appointment level will depend on the appointee’s experience and qualifications. Please send your CV and cover letter to hr@nzcer.org.nz by 9 February 2026. To learn more, please contact Sheridan McKinley at sheridan.mckinley@nzcer.org.nz, or phone 04 802-1621.
Kaitātari Raraunga Māori | Data Analyst Māori
Te Wāhanga Māori, the Māori Research Unit at NZCER, is seeking a Kaitātari Raraunga Māori | Data Analyst Māori to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for an early-career or more experienced data analyst to work within a kaupapa Māori research environment and contribute to nationally significant mahi.
You will be part of a team designing and implementing a kaupapa Māori research and monitoring programme that reflects the aspirations of mokopuna, their whānau, hapū and iwi. This newly established role will provide data analysis support for Te Wāhanga Māori, with a particular focus on Te Tīrewa Mātai.
Te Tīrewa Mātai is Aotearoa’s New Zealand’s first national monitoring study designed specifically for mokopuna learning through te reo Māori, at Tau 3, 6 and 8. The study is grounded in Te Ao Māori, and places strong emphasis on cultural validity and Māori data sovereignty.
We are looking for a Data Analyst Māori who brings an understanding of kaupapa Māori approaches, has some proficiency in te reo Māori, and is interested in a career in data analysis. You may have experience in quantitative analysis, statistical modelling and experience with computer programming (such as use of R or Python). Key to this role is an interest in learning about psychometric approaches, and over time, contributing to the design of culturally appropriate psychometric measures that reflect Māori ways of knowing and being.
The appointment level will depend on the appointee’s experience and qualifications.
We welcome applications from applicants who:
- are committed to kaupapa Māori education and research
- have training in statistics, modelling and/or programming and wish to apply these in a Māori education context
- work well in teams and bring strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- have a passion for making a positive difference for all ākonga | learners in Aotearoa New Zealand.
At NZCER, we are actively committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi to help us uphold mana Māori in our work, relationships, and ways of working. We value the importance of Māori language, culture and identity in all our practices. The successful candidates will become members of the Te Wāhanga-NZCER team and will ideally be based at our office in Wellington.
To view the position description, click here.
To learn more, please contact Sheridan McKinley, Tumu Māori, at sheridan.mckinley@nzcer.org.nz or phone 04 802-1621. Please send your CV and cover letter to hr@nzcer.org.nz.
Applications close Monday 9 February 2026.
Kairangahau Mātauranga | Researcher Pacific Education
Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao!
We are looking for a Kairangahau | Researcher Pacific Education to join our dynamic team. You will be part of an organisation which delivers high-quality education research, evaluation, and assessment. This is a newly established role that will focus on Pacific Peoples and Pacific learner success and will also work in other projects across a wide range of areas from curriculum development, assessment, and Māori education to policy and programme evaluation, and data insights. A collaborative approach together with the ability to lead and/or work in a range of project teams is essential.
We are looking for a person with experience and expertise in Pacific education and/or research, who can help drive our Pacific work programme, but is also willing to participate in and support other work across research and education. You may have a teaching background and ideally have experience in using Pacific research methodologies.
The level and seniority of the role will depend on the skills, attributes and experience of the person and we invite applications from people who are either early in their career or those who may already have senior research experience.
We welcome applications from people with:
- Pacific and/or general research or evaluation experience
- experience working with Pacific Peoples
- proficiency in a Pacific language(s) is an advantage
- experience as a kaiako | teacher is desirable
- experience in assessment and test design
- a current knowledge and understanding of education in Aotearoa New Zealand
- critical thinking and analytical skills
- a real passion for making a difference for all ākonga | learners.
We are actively committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi to help us uphold mana Māori in our work, relationships, and ways of working. We value the importance of Māori language, culture and identity in all our practices.
NZCER is a vibrant, independent educational research organisation based in Wellington. We have multiple education research, evaluation, and assessment projects on the go at any time. Numeracy, literacy, curriculum, AI, PAT assessments and climate change are the focus of some of our current projects.
You may be wanting to progress your career or looking for a change. NZCER is Wellington based, applicants outside of Wellington will be considered. Appointment may be as a Kairangahau | Researcher Pacific Education, or Kairangahau Matua | Senior Researcher Pacific Education depending on experience.
To view the position descriptions, see here (Researcher) and here (Senior Researcher). If you’d like more detail, please contact Heleen Visser, General Manager Researcher: heleen.visser@nzcer.org.nz
To apply, please email a covering letter and detailed curriculum vitae in pdf format to hr@nzcer.org.nz
Applications close Wednesday 21 January 2026.
Please note that the NZCER office is closed from 22 December 2025 to Monday 5 January 2026 – any queries will be responded to upon our return