Tumu Whakarae – Chief Executive Officer

Kei runga noa a Tātai Aho Rau mō te whakapiki i te mātauranga i Aotearoa. Ko tāna he waihanga wheako e whakamānawa ana i te tuku ihotanga ahurea motuhake o Aotearoa. E ngākau titikaha ana ki ngā putanga tōkeke mō ngā ākonga katoa, ka whakamana te tīma i ngā hapori mā ngā whakataunga ako kauawhi, aro whakamua, urupare ahurea anō hoki. 

Tātai Aho Rau Core Education is a national professional services company for the education ecosystem, a trailblazer in advancing education in Aotearoa. With a steadfast commitment to equitable outcomes for all learners, the team empowers communities through inclusive, future-focused, and culturally responsive learning solutions.

Founded on the purpose of promoting educational equity, and with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as its foundation, Tātai Aho Rau offers a range of targeted services and solutions, including professional learning and development, cultural capability building, curriculum design, content development, and research and evaluation. Embracing a powerful vision for an equitable and thriving Aotearoa where every learner, whānau, and community is empowered to flourish.

At the heart of Tātai Aho Rau is a dedication to innovation and excellence, weaving together the threads of educational innovation and cultural authenticity. The passionate team of educators, cultural experts, facilitators, researchers, and content developers work collaboratively to break new ground in the education ecosystem. As kaitiaki of transformative learning, the Tātai Aho Rau team are guided by the principles of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, wairuatanga, and kaitiakitanga in everything they do.

Embarking on a new chapter of strategic evolution, Tātai Aho Rau is seeking a Tumu Whakarae who shares their passion and purpose. This pivotal role will lead with vision, business acumen and commercial nous, build a high-performing culture, and elevate the organisation’s impact, ensuring that our kaupapa continues to empower the learners of Aotearoa for generations to come. Does this sound like you?  

Ko tā te Tumu Whakarae he whitiwhiti kōrero tahi me te poari, he ārahi i tētahi tīma ngākau whiwhita, tīma mātanga hoki, he whakahaere hautūtanga rautaki, matawhānui anō hoki. Ko tētahi wāhanga nui o tēnei tūranga ko te whakawhanaungatanga ki ngā rōpū whai pānga hei whakakaha i ngā pāpātanga o te kamupene kia pai ai te tōnuitanga me te kōkiri i te tōkeketanga me te auahatanga.

Reporting to the Board and leading a team of passionate, high-performing professionals, the Tumu Whakarae is responsible for providing strategic and visionary leadership to Tātai Aho Rau. This role can be Wellington or Christchurch based.

A key component of this role is fostering strong stakeholder relationships and partnerships to enhance the organisation’s impact, ensuring its long-term sustainability, and championing equity and innovation.

In addition to strategic oversight, the Tumu Whakarae will oversee operational excellence, navigating complex challenges with agility and ensuring that the organisation remains aligned with its values and mission. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity that requires an individual with intuition, empathy, and the capability to inspire a thriving culture.

In taking on this role you will:

• Partner with the Board to implement a forward-thinking strategy that positions Tātai Aho Rau as a leading professional services organisation for education.
• Uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and support the practice of tikanga Māori across the organisation.
• Lead and empower a high-performing team, continuing to build a culture that aligns with the organisation’s strategy and values.
• Develop and execute strategic and operational plans to ensure the continued relevance, impact, and growth of Tātai Aho Rau.
• Strengthen relationships with iwi, communities, and key stakeholders to enhance the organisation’s influence and effectiveness.
• Foster an environment that values diversity, inclusion, and innovation in every aspect of the organisation’s work. 

To be successful in this role, you will have a relevant tertiary qualification and have held leadership positions within the education ecosystem. Your leadership style will balance confidence with humility and demonstrate exceptional communication and relationship-building skills. Your ability to inspire, influence, and manage diverse stakeholders will ensure Tātai Aho Rau continues to thrive and deliver on its strategic aspirations.

With proven transformational leadership experience, you will bring the strategic vision and commercial acumen needed to navigate financial sustainability and growth. Your understanding of the education ecosystem in Aotearoa, combined with a strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tikanga Māori, will position you as a trusted and credible leader.

People will describe you as an empathetic and authentic leader—one who inspires trust, fosters collaboration, and motivates teams to achieve excellence. Passionate about education and socially conscious, you will bring high energy, resilience, and an unwavering focus on equity, innovation, and cultural responsiveness.

You will be rewarded with a unique opportunity to lead this organisation and shape the future of education in Aotearoa. From driving strategic innovation to forging enduring relationships with stakeholders, iwi, and communities, this role offers the chance to leave a long-lasting legacy.

For more information please email Lisa Edwards, [email protected] or Matthew Mark [email protected]. To discover more about Tātai Aho Rau CORE Education, visit https://core-ed.org/

Applications close: 20 January 2025