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 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. 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 and assessment, to policy and programme evaluation. 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 research, who can help drive our Pacific work programme, and is also willing to participate in and support other work projects. You ideally have experience in using Pacific research methodologies, and you may have a teaching background.
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
- experience as a kaiako | teacher is desirable
- experience in assessment and test design
- a current knowledge and understanding of education in Aotearoa New Zealand
- a real passion for making a difference for all ākonga | learners
- proficiency in a Pacific language(s) is an advantage
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 15 April 2026.
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. To learn more, please contact Sheridan McKinley at sheridan.mckinley@nzcer.org.nz, or phone 04 802-1621.