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.

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