Senior Engagement and Communications Advisor Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

• Support engagement for one of Aotearoa’s most iconic and high‑profile national parks.

• 2-year fixed term/ secondment opportunity

• Aoraki/ Dunedin/ Mackenzie location

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa.

The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.

Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.

Help shape the future of one of Aotearoa’s most iconic places.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is one of Aotearoa’s most visited and significant landscapes. Almost a million people arrive each year for its alpine environment, dark skies, and unique ecosystems. For Ngāi Tahu, Aoraki is a sacred ancestor, and the Park is part of Te Wāipounamu – a UNESCO World Heritage Area.

High visitor numbers create real pressure. Carparks overflow, roadside parking stretches for kilometres, and tracks and infrastructure face constant wear.

To respond, DOC is progressing the Sustainable Destinations – Aoraki programme. This includes work on transport, visitor experience, infrastructure planning, and potential access charging. A paid parking pilot has already started begins at White Horse Hill in summer 2025/26.

He angitūtanga | About the role

We’re looking for a Senior Engagement and Communications Advisor to help DOC navigate this complex environment and lead high-quality communication and engagement for Aoraki to support the Sustainable Destinations - Aoraki programme. This role is funded by the Heritage and Visitor Group and will work closely with the Aoraki Operations Manager and local teams to support delivery on the ground of quality communication and engagement for Aoraki, and quality communication and engagement for Aoraki.

This is not a passive role. You will be the programme’s engagement lead—shaping strategy, writing communications, building stakeholder confidence, and ensuring engagement reflects te ao Māori and our Treaty commitments. You will engage openly with tangata whenua, communities, commercial operators, visitors, tourism bodies, local and central government, and Ministerial offices regularly.

This is a two-year, fixed term position/ secondment. Dunedin and other locations will be considered for the right person, but regular travel to Aoraki and MacKenzie will be expected as part of the role if you are based outside the location.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

In this role, you will:

• Profile issues and provide strategic advice that reflects the unique cultural, environmental, social, and operational realities of Aoraki.

• Develop and deliver engagement strategies, plans, and best practice guidance for delivery on the ground.

• Support systems and processes that help teams engage well and work in an integrated way.

• Contribute to a strategic engagement approach that builds trust and confidence in DOC.

• Provide high-quality advice to leaders and teams across the department.

• Provide high-quality advice to Ministers and their offices as required. 

• Support partnership and engagement activities with whānau, hapū, iwi and a wide range of external stakeholders.

• Help identify opportunities to collaborate to achieve conservation outcomes.

What you will bring

We are looking for someone with:

• Strong experience in communications and engagement at a senior or advisor level.

• Experience working with Māori, and an understanding of te ao Māori, te reo me ngā tikanga.

• Understanding of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it relates to your work.

• Skills in relationship management, strategic engagement, problem solving, and issues management.

• Experience of drafting Ministerial responses/ OIA’s.

• The ability to work independently and collaboratively, use sound judgement, and provide advice that supports informed decision making.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience in programme or project planning and delivery.

• Understanding of engagement theory and practice.

Click here for the position description.

Why this work matters

This role is central to how DOC supports Aoraki to thrive—protecting the mauri of the National Park, improving visitor experiences, and helping communities manage the reality of growing tourism pressure.

This is a unique chance to influence the future of one of Aotearoa’s most significant landscapes.

If you want to use your engagement and communication skills to help protect a landmark national park, support tangata whenua partnership, and shape long-term outcomes for visitors, communities, and the environment in Aoraki National Park, this is a one-off opportunity to make your mark and influence outcomes for nature.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What’s in it for you?

At the heart of our success is our strong DOC culture, built on clear values. Our integrity grounds us, our connections take us further together, we empower ourselves and others to do the best work, so we achieve more for nature and New Zealand.  DOC is committed to working as an honourable Treaty Partner.

DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow.  We’re working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default.  You can learn more about what we offer here.

Tono ināianei | Apply now

Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Your experience may come from mahi on the marae, with your iwi or hapū, through connections, community or volunteer work, or other roles. We value the wide range of skills, strengths and knowledge that people bring, no matter where they were gained.

Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted.

If you require any accommodations or adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do let us know.

The salary range for this position is $92, 912 to $124,500 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.

Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.

Rā katinga | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday 2 March 2026.

Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries, contact Neil Hutton at [email protected]