Cultural Advisor

About Orange Sky Aotearoa / Mō Orange Sky Aotearoa

Orange Sky is the world’s first free mobile laundry and shower service, providing support to people experiencing homelessness and hardship. Launched in Aotearoa in 2018, after beginning in Australia, our kaupapa is to connect communities by working alongside service partners and community groups to uphold the dignity and mana of whānau experiencing homelessness and hardship.

In Aotearoa, we are privileged to walk alongside whānau and communities in need, fostering genuine connections through clean clothes, warm showers, and meaningful kōrero. With over 112,000 Kiwis experiencing severe housing deprivation, our kaupapa is to break down barriers and bring people together through acts of kindness and connection. We’re driven, dedicated, insanely ambitious and a little unconventional. We take our work seriously but have plenty of fun along the way. We work hard and ‘get it done’ but always make time to celebrate each other’s success.

The Role / Te Tūranga

This role would suit an external contractor on a retainer, hourly rate or project based arrangement. We anticipate the time commitment to be about 20 hours per month, however specific hours, availability expectations, and limits on the number of events or hui will be agreed in writing and reviewed over time. 

The Cultural Advisor will:

• Provide trusted cultural advice and guidance to Orange Sky Aotearoa, and where appropriate to Orange Sky Australia.


• Support us to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our decisions, policies and day to day practice.


• Help us build and maintain strong relationships with iwi, hapū, marae and Māori community partners, especially in regions where we are scoping or growing services.


• Offer support at key moments such as launches, pōwhiri, mihi whakatau and other kaupapa that require tikanga and kawa to be upheld.


• Help ensure that Māori staff and volunteers have culturally safe support and spaces, and that the wider organisation understands its responsibilities.


• This role is advisory. It guides, challenges and supports the organisation. It does not carry sole responsibility for Te Tiriti or cultural practice, which remains a collective responsibility of Orange Sky’s leadership and governance.
  

The role will include a formal review after 6 months to reflect on impact, scope, workload and resourcing, and to decide whether to extend, grow or adjust the position.

About You / Mōu

• Significant lived experience and standing within Te Ao Māori, with strong grounding in tikanga and kawa.


• Demonstrated experience advising organisations, boards or leaders on Te Tiriti, cultural practice or Māori engagement.


• Strong relationships with iwi, hapū and Māori community networks, especially in at least one of the regions where Orange Sky operates or is planning services.


• Experience working alongside non Māori teams and helping them navigate change.


• Previous experience in social services, community development, health, housing or related areas is an advantage but not essential.


• Ability to assess policies and practices and give clear, practical advice on how to improve.


• Confident communicator in both Māori and Pākehā contexts, able to explain concepts in accessible ways.


• Skilled at building trust quickly and maintaining relationships over time.


• Able to hold robust, honest conversations with leaders while maintaining mana and care.

More Information or To Apply / Ngā Mōhiohio Anō me te Tono

If you are interested in the role please click the apply button to complete your application and attach a copy of your CV and a 1 page cover letter explaining why you would be a great addition to our organisation, or contact Kat Doughty at [email protected] with any questions.

For more information on Orange Sky you can visit our website at www.orangesky.org.nz

We are committed to facilitating a barrier-free recruitment process. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.