Kō wai mātou? Who are we?
Zespri is more than simply the world's single-largest marketer of kiwifruit. We like to think of ourselves as fruit on a mission and as rebels with a cause: to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. We are proudly the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. We work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which we supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers. We are one of New Zealand's best-known international brands, dedicated to creating sustainable long-term value for growers.
He aha te mahi? What's the role?
Māori kiwifruit growers currently represent 10% of our industry with an ambition to hit 20%. The purpose of the Head of Māori Alliances role is to lead and implement Zespri’s Māori engagement strategy, ensuring it is well understood and leveraged to support Māori communities to thrive, by helping Māori growers achieve their aspirations and building a more resilient, connected, innovative and diverse industry to deliver on our purpose.
This strategic position is part of the Grower & Industry Relations leadership team that delivers a transformational Grower Experience strategy to meet our aspiration: our kiwifruit growing community trust Zespri to connect them with consumers, lead them through change and empower them to achieve our collective growth ambition through tailored, informative and seamless experiences, enabled by reliable data, intuitive tools and user-centric ways of working.
Based in Mount Maunganui, this is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of bringing the Māori Engagement Strategy to life through development of capability build in the three main pillars that make up the strategy:
- Cultural Connection: Develop understanding and competency within Zespri of Te Ao Māori, ensuring it is incorporated into Zespri’s decision making processes, strategy, and activities.
- Strengthen Partnerships: Lead engagement with key Māori and Iwi stakeholders, and support Board and Executive engagement with robust and culturally appropriate consultation and engagement.
- Creating Ongoing Value: Provide strategic advice on issues of significance to Māori and promote opportunities that ensure mutually beneficial outcomes for iwi Māori and Zespri.
Ko wai koe? Who are you?
We are looking for an individual who has proven experience leading, influencing and managing key stakeholders through advocacy, influence and collaboration. While the strategic influence is critically important to this role we are also seeking an individual who can independently implement strategic initiatives and workstreams both cross-functionally within Zespri & with external stakeholders. The successful candidate will also have:
- Developed networks and experience and knowledge of working with Iwi and hapu across Te Moana-a-Toitehuatahi
- Māori leadership experience with strong connections with Māori communities and government organisations
- Fluency in Te Reo Māori and a strong understanding of Te Ao Māori and Tikanga
- Experience working in Corporate environment
- Significant cultural competency, driven by their own personal mana and passion to bring about change
- Experience in implementing Māori strategy and leading organisational change
- The proven skills to empower and enhance the mana of others
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills, with the ability to influence and enable change
- Degree qualified in Te Reo Māori related discipline (however this may be offset with considerable, relevant experience)
He aha e tika ai a Zespri? Why Zespri?
Our people are what makes our culture so irresistible and uniquely Zespri. We are a passionate and mighty team of 850+ employees in 23 different locations globally. Working at Zespri is an opportunity to join a fast-paced, culture-driven environment unlike any other. We want people who share our values of being personally connected, results-driven, and committed to guardianship. Join us in shaping our future and be part of a truly unique organisation.
- Competitive overall remuneration package, including a Short-Term Incentive scheme opportunity.
- FlexWELL flexible work ethos; WFH & the office.
- Additional paid annual leave day per year (Zespri Day).
- Additional paid volunteer day to volunteer within your community (Volunteer Time).
- Global Life and Permanent Disability Insurance.
- Group Medical Insurance benefits.
- Convenient Mount Maunganui office location, with free onsite parking.
- Your daily dose of Vitamin C with free kiwifruit!
Tono mai inaianei! Apply Now! Applications close 31 January 2025.
At Zespri, we understand the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences, and a fair hiring process is the first step to getting there. We want to attract a diverse range of people and encourage everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life to apply. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment and selection process by reaching out to our Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@zespri.com.
