Adviser, Indigenous Forestry | Rotorua

Job Description

Job Title: Indigenous Forestry Adviser

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Rotorua

Salary Band & range: F $76,463 to $89,215 depending on skills and experience

About the Role – Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are seeking an Indigenous Forestry Adviser to join our Forestry Operations team and contribute to the sustainable management of Aotearoa's indigenous forests. You'll work where natural forest management is practiced, accessing remote sites and collaborating with passionate people in stunning native forest environments.

You'll provide technical forestry advice to landowners, iwi, and stakeholders, ensuring compliance with the Forests Act and supporting indigenous forest management opportunities.

As a warranted Forestry Officer, you'll split your time between field based compliance including search warrants and enforcement and office based advisory work. You'll receive in-house training and external courses in areas such as 4WD, LUV, drone use, and chainsaw operation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Implementing the Forests Act 1949 provisions relating to indigenous forest management
• Conducting field-based auditing, compliance, and enforcement as a warranted Forestry Officer
• Providing technical forestry advice to landowners and stakeholders to support sustainable forest management
• Building and maintaining relationships with iwi, Māori organisations, government agencies, and other stakeholders
• Maintaining a high level of physical fitness to undertake fieldwork in challenging terrain

You'll travel roughly one week per month to conduct forest inventories, inspect logging, and sawmill operations, and investigate noncompliance. You'll apply the VADE model starting with education before moving to enforcement and work closely with MPI's Compliance and Prosecution teams.

About You – Mōu

You are passionate about indigenous forestry and committed to protecting Aotearoa's native forest resources. You will bring strong technical knowledge, excellent relationship management skills, and a collaborative approach to working with diverse stakeholders. You enjoy being outdoors and physically active, and you're resilient with the right attitude to thrive in remote field environments.

You'll need to demonstrate:

• A tertiary qualification in forestry, ecology, plant biology, environmental science (preferred), or equivalent experience
• Experience working in field-based roles, including in remote and rugged terrain
• Knowledge of forestry regulation and compliance, and the ability to apply it in practical settings
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills
• Experience engaging with Māori organisations and tangata whenua

You must have a current full New Zealand driver licence (not temporary, learner, or provisional) or equivalent full foreign drivers licence, and any endorsements required for the type of driving you'll be doing.

About the Team – Mō tō mātou Rōpū

This role sits within Te Uru Rākau New Zealand Forest Service, part of the Forestry Operations Directorate. Our team delivers regulatory and operational functions that support sustainable forest management and indigenous forestry development across Aotearoa. We're a geographically distributed team of eight, plus a manager, based in Rotorua, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

We work in a flat team structure that values autonomy, collaboration, and practical problem solving. You'll be supported by a great manager who empowers you to take ownership of your work. Our team is passionate about natural forest management and committed to protecting native forests for future generations.

You'll have opportunities to travel to remote and beautiful places, work in native forest environments, and collaborate with dedicated and knowledgeable colleagues. We're a team that values integrity, curiosity, and a shared commitment to public service.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

Benefits of working at MPI – Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual wellness payment
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Credit check - Tirotiro nama

Please note, given this position is identified as carrying financial risk, the preferred candidate(s) will be required to satisfactorily pass a credit check.

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred candidates(s) for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at 11.59pm 13 November 2025

If you have any questions about the role, please email Sophie.Hallett@mpi.govt.nz 

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