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: Māori Educational Researchers
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 kairangahau to join Te Wāhanga, our Māori research team. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of kaupapa Māori research that can make a real difference for Māori learners, their whānau and communities. Te Wāhanga delivers high-quality research and evaluation which aims to contribute to transformational change that benefits Māori. Our work spans te reo Māori revitalisation, kaupapa Māori and Māori medium education, Māori education and development, curriculum development and assessment, and policy and programme evaluation.
Te Wāhanga is currently at the forefront of delivering Te Tīrewa Mātai – a cutting-edge kaupapa Māori project to inform the future design of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, policy decisions, and the development of resources and supports for mokopuna, whānau, kaiako, tumuaki, kura and leaders.
You will have a strong interest/expertise in kaupapa Māori and Māori medium education, and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa and aromatawai. A collaborative approach with the ability to lead and/or work in a range of project teams is essential. Ideally you will have an education research, evaluation and/or teaching background.
You may be early in your career or looking for a change. Appointment may be as a Kaiāwhina Rangahau, Kairangahau, or Kairangahau Matua depending on skills and experience. We welcome applications from people with:
- Expertise or an interest in developing methodological expertise in kaupapa Māori research
- expertise or an interest in developing expertise in assessment and/or aromatawai, test design and item writing
- a current knowledge and understanding of kaupapa Māori and Māori medium education (including the broader context of Māori education) in Aotearoa New Zealand
- experience as a kaiako within kaupapa Māori and/or Māori medium sectors may be an advantage
- a sound knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and what it means and how it applies to an education context
- a deep understanding/command of te reo and tikanga Māori, and mātauranga Māori
- a passion for making a difference for ākonga Māori.
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.
To view the position description(s) see the links below:
Or if you’d like to discuss this opportunity in more detail, please contact Sheridan McKinley, Tumu Māori—General Manager Māori, on 04 802-1621.
To apply, please forward a covering letter and detailed curriculum vitae. Your application should be addressed to Marie Sim, Kaitohu Pūmanawa Tangata - HR Advisor: hr@nzcer.org.nz
Closing date for applications is 3 August 2026.