Mō mātou | About us
Mana Mokopuna - Children and Young People's Commission (the Commission) advocates for all 1.2 million mokopuna aged under 18 in Aotearoa and care-experienced mokopuna aged up to 25.
The Commission is an Independent Crown Entity headed by an Executive Director and governed by a Board of Commissioners chaired by a Chief Children’s Commissioner.
As a Commission, we advocate for children's rights to be recognised and upheld, provide advice and guidance to government and other agencies, advocate for system-level change, ensure children's voices are heard in decisions that affect them and monitor places where mokopuna are detained.
Our name, Mana Mokopuna, describes who we are and what we stand for. Understanding mana is central to us at the Commission.
Dr. Rose Pere describes ‘mana’ as meaning ‘respect, acquired knowledge, control, intrinsic value, dignity, and influence’. Hirini Moko Mead states that all children and young people are born with mana because their whakapapa can be traced back to the Atua (the Gods). An important aspect of mana is that it can never be taken away – it is part of a person’s whakapapa. To improve outcomes for children and young people, we need to understand the foundations that uphold their mana.
The word ‘mokopuna’ comes from two parts – moko (tattoo or blueprint) and puna (spring of water). This recognises that children are the blueprint of their ancestors. At the heart, we recognise the many elements that support mokopuna to thrive and acknowledge that they are unique individuals, existing within the context of their family, whānau, hapū, iwi, and wider community. Recognising that their participation in decisions that affect them is vitally important.
Te moemoeā: kia kuru pounamu te rongo; our vision is that all children and young people of Aotearoa live their best lives. For us, child wellbeing is whānau wellbeing.
At the Commission we recognise that an important part of achieving our moemoeā is advocating for a society in which Te Tiriti o Waitangi is fully realised. Our tari centers mātauranga Māori and our Te Tiriti obligations at the heart of all we do.
Mō te tūnga | About the role
Join our dynamic Advocacy and Rights team, where you will play a key role in advocating for mokopuna rights through research, analysis, and advocacy. This includes making submissions to Parliament, raising awareness of children’s rights, and monitoring the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Aotearoa.
In this six-month fixed-term role, you will amplify the voices of mokopuna, their whānau, hapū, iwi, and communities. You will lead key projects, provide guidance to Advisors, and contribute to the ongoing development and success of our advocacy and rights programme.
You will provide evidence-based advice, underpinned by research and analysis, to promote the interests and wellbeing of mokopuna. As a confident communicator, both written and verbal, you will synthesise complex information and deliver clear, fit-for-purpose briefings, submissions, and reports. By building relationships across the public, academic, and community sectors, you will ensure that our advice is well-supported and informed by a broad network of expertise.
As part of our Advocacy and Rights team, you will raise awareness of mokopuna rights, including upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the rights set out in the Children’s Convention. This role is ideal for a proactive individual who thrives on variety, enjoys supporting others, and is ready to take initiative in a fast-paced environment.
You can find a full position description for the role below.
Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring
We are looking for someone who can fit into the team and hit the ground running, and is required to bring the following qualities and skills to the role:
- Strong expertise in children's rights, wellbeing, and human rights advocacy.
- Knowledge of Te Reo Māori, Tikanga, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, or a willingness to engage in this context.
- Commitment to supporting mokopuna and advocating for their participation.
- Proven leadership in managing projects with strategic, politically savvy skills and strong relationship-building abilities.
- Exceptional research, analysis, and communication skills, with the ability to produce clear briefings and submissions.
Desirable but not required:
- Experience in public health, education, early childhood, or the disability sectors.
- An understanding of the Machinery of Government and government processes.
If this is you and you are a passionate individual who wants to work for an organisation dedicated to bettering the lives of mokopuna, then we want to hear from you!
Ngä hua ka puta i te mahi ki Mana Mokopuna | What we can offer you
- A salary between $ 98,834 – $ 119,908 gross per annum.
- Flexible working options with a hybrid model – balance time between life and mahi, working from both the tari and home.
- Opportunities to further develop your Te Reo Māori through regular lessons, along with waiata and kapa haka.
- Wellbeing benefits, including access to Rongoā Māori and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services.
- The chance to work with a passionate team of kaimahi dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for mokopuna across Aotearoa.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply
- Applicants for this position should have the legal right to work in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Applications should be submitted online via NZ Government Jobs or Seek.
- Please ensure you provide an up-to-date CV and a cover letter outlining your motivation for the role and how you meet the requirements.
- Applicants invited to an interview will be required to fill out an employment check form, consenting to all relevant checks.
If you have any pātai regarding this role, please contact us at hr@manamokopuna.org.nz
Applications close 2 February 2025.