18/02/2026
Kai Tahu Lead Ranger – EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Kia ora e te whānau,
We are currently advertising the following job opportunity that you or your whānau may be interested in. Please don’t hesitate to touch base if this sounds like the right fit for you!
Fixed Term – 3 years
SEMP Network Araiteuru / South East Coastal area
Kia hiwa rā!
The Office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu works on behalf of the iwi to manage the collective assets of Ngāi Tahu whānui, to promote and ensure their interests and aspirations are met through representational activities, protecting the rights of Ngāi Tahu Whānui and delivering social and cultural programmes. The South East Marine Protection programme is the first of its kind providing a Co-management arrangement between Kāi Tahu and the Crown to deliver marine protection together.
The Lead Kāi Tahu Ranger will provide operational leadership and day to day management of a team of Kāi Tahu Rangers delivering the South East Marine Protection Programme (SEMP) across a network of Customary Protected Areas (CPAs) and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), in the Araiteuru rohe moana. Working closely with Kaitiakitaka Groups and Papatipu Rūnaka, this hands on role blends field leadership, people management, safety-critical decision making, and cultural mentoring to turn operational plans into practical action in and around the moana.
You will coordinate monitoring and biosecurity fieldwork (including Undaria control), wānaka and mātauraka programmes, education and outreach, a nd compliance support, ensuring kaitiakitaka practices and mātauraka Kāi Tahu work alongside science-based approaches to protect and enhance Takaroa for future generations. You’ll build strong relationships with Takata Tiaki, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) marine rangers, Fishery Officers, researchers, councils, community groups and marine users to support a cohesive network approach. This leadership role is central to growing and protecting customary practices, mātauraka and associations for future generations through the active management and monitoring of all domains of Takaroa.
To be successful in the role you will be skilled in:
Leadership & people management: Proven experience leading field teams, allocating work, coaching and performance management; able to build a positive, values aligned team culture grounded in whānaukataka.
Safety & marine operations: Demonstrated capability making safety critical decisions in challenging marine conditions; deep experience in vessel operations and/or diving; strong incident prevention, response, and documentation.
Operational delivery: Skilled planner who can translate strategic priorities into practical schedules across multiple workstreams (monitoring, biosecurity, wānaka, education, infrastructure) and adjust to weather, seasons, and emerging priorities.
Cultural leadership: Deep understanding of tikaka and mātauraka Kāi Tahu, with the ability to model rakatirataka and kaitiakitaka, uphold cultural protocols, and mentor others to navigate the interface of mātauraka Māori and science, working with Papatipu Rūnaka, Kaitiakitaka Groups, Takata Tiaki, iwi members.
Stakeholder engagement: Confident working with Crown agencies, fishers, scientists, and community groups; naturally collaborative and relationship centred.
Communication & problem solving: Strong written and verbal communication; capable of clear reporting, adaptive problem solving, and practical solutions that support adaptive management.
You will also bring:
Essential: Full Driver’s Licence; Current First Aid Certification; Boat Master’s/Skipper qualification (or commitment to obtain immediately).
Highly desirable: SCUBA diving certification with relevant marine safety qualifications.
Desirable: Relevant tertiary qualification (e.g., marine science, environmental management) and/or experience in mahinga kai management and restoration, conservation, education, or community engagement.
Kaupapa alignment: Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and co management, with a strong affinity for the needs and aspirations of Kāi Tahu Whānui and a commitment to continuous learning in te reo and tikaka.
Location & working style
This role’s mahi will span across the SEMP Network Araiteuru / South East Coastal area (with other coastal locations to be confirmed), and will require regular travel across this takiwā, and at times require variable hours to align with tides, weather and marae based hui. Fieldwork in remote marine environments is also required.
This is a hands on leadership role directing daily operations and ensuring safety, quality and cultural integrity in all mahi.
To apply, please follow this link and apply online. For confidential enquiries, please contact Nigel Scott at:
[email protected].
Nau mai, haere mai, tauti mai!
Ngā mihi
Toi Tangata / People and Culture
0800 KAI TAHU | [email protected]
Te Rūnanga Group
