Experienced Environment and Conservation Specialist

The Environment and Conservation Specialist leads and coordinates all environmental initiatives and conservation projects of Tiaki Taonga Trust Wai 262 in alignment with the Wai 262 Flora and Fauna Claim — a claim that safeguards the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of Māori flora, fauna, and associated mātauranga Māori (traditional knowledge).

**Purpose of the Role**

The Environment and Conservation Specialist leads and coordinates all environmental initiatives and conservation projects of Tiaki Taonga Trust Wai 262 in alignment with the Wai 262 Flora and Fauna Claim — a claim that safeguards the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of Māori flora, fauna, and associated mātauranga Māori (traditional knowledge). This role bridges policy and research with hands-on project management, ensuring the Trust’s work advances Māori environmental sovereignty both nationally and internationally. The position upholds Tikanga Māori (customs and ethics) and Kaupapa Māori (principled collective values) while maintaining compliance with domestic and international environmental frameworks including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the Paris Climate Agreement.

**Key Responsibilities**

• Lead the development and implementation of national and international environmental and conservation programmes related to the Wai 262 flora and fauna claim.
• Conduct policy and legislative research on biodiversity, environmental law, and Indigenous rights to inform Trust positions and submissions.
• Coordinate and manage field-based conservation projects involving native species restoration, sustainable resource use, and rongoā (traditional medicine) protection.
• Build relationships with government agencies, iwi, hapū, and international partners to ensure Māori voices are represented in environmental governance.
• Prepare detailed environmental impact assessments, conservation plans, and monitoring reports.
• Develop funding proposals and partnerships to support ecological restoration and biodiversity initiatives.
• Promote best-practice environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and carbon-neutral strategies within the Trust’s operations.
• Represent the Trust in international environmental networks and forums to strengthen Māori participation in global conservation efforts.
• Ensure all projects adhere to Tikanga Māori, cultural safety, and intellectual property protection principles.

**Qualifications and Experience**

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Environmental Science, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Resource Management, or related discipline.
• Minimum five (5) years’ experience in environmental policy, conservation management, or ecological research.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Wai 262 flora and fauna claim and its national and international significance.
• Experience working with Indigenous or community-based environmental programmes.
• Knowledge of New Zealand’s environmental legislation (Resource Management Act, Conservation Act, Climate Change Response Act).
• Familiarity with international instruments including UNDRIP, CBD, and the Paris Agreement.
• Proven ability to translate policy research into practical conservation outcomes.

**Skills and Attribute**

• Strong leadership and project management capabilities.
• Excellent analytical, research, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work cross-culturally with iwi, hapū, and global stakeholders.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, both oral and written.
• Competence in GIS mapping, data analysis, and environmental monitoring tools.
• Commitment to environmental ethics, sustainability, and cultural preservation.

**Cultural Understanding**

The Environment and Conservation Specialist must actively uphold Tikanga Māori (customs, ethics, and values) and Kaupapa Māori (collective principles) in every aspect of environmental and conservation practice. This role ensures that Māori ecological knowledge (mātauranga Māori) is recognised as a legitimate and vital part of scientific, environmental, and climate-related dialogue both in Aotearoa and globally.

**Reporting and Accountability**

Reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer. Responsible for leading and coordinating all conservation and environmental policy work of the Trust, ensuring that both local and international engagements uphold the principles of the Wai 262 flora and fauna claim and Te Ao Māori perspectives on environmental protection.

**Equal Volunteer Employment Opportunity**

Tiaki Taonga Trust Wai 262 is an equal volunteer employer. All qualified persons, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, age, or belief, are encouraged to apply.