Director Aquaculture

• Champion the delivery of New Zealand’s aquaculture strategy
• Foster strong relationships with sector stakeholders and Treaty partners
• Lead and influence change for New Zealand's future

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand’s food and fibre sector to be the world’s most sustainable provider of high-value food and primary products.

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team 
Fisheries New Zealand works to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture resources are managed to provide the greatest overall benefit to New Zealanders. Our focus is the sustainability of New Zealand’s wild fish stocks, aquaculture, and the wider aquatic environment, now and for future generations.

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role
Fisheries are seeking a visionary and dynamic Director of Aquaculture, to lead the government’s efforts in shaping the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector in New Zealand. 

The is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of driving New Zealand’s aquaculture strategy, influencing the levers of government to open doors for new opportunity and partnership. Leading a dedicated team, you will champion the implementation of that strategy and work programme, fostering key relationships with other government departments, industry leaders and more, challenging them to be bold and make decisions that will drive and enable change.

At the same time, your guidance over the Crown’s aquaculture Treaty settlement will be critical, as you focus on delivering a true partnership with iwi, in what is a complex and important ongoing interest. Ultimately, as a key member of the Fisheries New Zealand leadership team, you have a real opportunity to provide collective leadership and impact positive development of New Zealand’s oceans and fisheries as a whole.

Mōu - About You
To be successful, you will be a proven senior leader, with credibility at the Executive and Ministerial level, who can engage a diverse network of stakeholders around a vision, setting strategic direction while influencing the delivery of shared outcomes. 

The ideal candidate will: 

• Have proven experience as a collaborative people leader, with an excellent understanding of working with regulatory frameworks, including resource management. 
• Bring strong relationship management experience, including the ability to successfully engage and partner with diverse audiences including Treaty Partners, navigating with appropriate sensitivity whilst balancing partner and stakeholder needs.
• Have an exceptional strategic delivery lens, with the ability to provide thought leadership and advice across all oceans and fisheries, on best practice approaches and continuous improvement towards a collective vision.
• Have demonstrated ability to drive action in the now, while holding a clear vision for current and future priorities.
• Ideally bring exposure to treaty settlements and an understanding of navigating the channels, complexity, and constraints of delivering on these 
• Bring a strong understanding of the Māori Crown relationship, including engagement with iwi and commitments to both in this context.
• Have knowledge of MPI’s business environment, strategic priorities, challenges, and opportunities (desired but not essential).

If you are passionate about delivering lasting change, sustainable growth and a partnership focused future for New Zealanders, this is a real opportunity for a proven senior leader to make a real difference in the aquaculture sector. 

Please note; that this is a Wellington based position.

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?
INSIDE Recruitment are assisting the Ministry of Primary Industries with the recruitment of this role. If you are interested in this role, please apply now and include your cover letter and CV. 

For a confidential discussion please contact Jeremy McLeod at INSIDE Recruitment on  [email protected]

Applications close at 10am on Monday the 11th of September 2023. We will be assessing applicants as applications are received, so we encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.