• Coordinate & create communications material – media releases, web stories, flyers
• Plan & support engagement activities for community and industry
• Seek, collate & update key information for internal and external audiences

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

Environment Canterbury is the Regional Council for the largest region in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We are committed to working in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.

Our mahi/work focuses on the delivery of three core services to the Waitaha/Canterbury community: Environmental Regulation and Protection; Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards; and Public Transport.

We are guided by our strategic pou of:

• Putting the community and our customers at the heart of everything we do
• Growing our relationship with mana whenua into a true partnership
• Maturing our governance model and understanding of our political environment
• Removing pain for our people (and customers) by improving our systems and processes.

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

You’ll help shape and deliver our communication and engagement strategies, working closely with principals and senior advisors.

As well as the proactive, planned aspects of the role, you’ll find yourself responding to media enquiries and issues as they come up. This often means reprioritising work in response to changing circumstances.

A lot goes on here – it’s a busy, multifaceted place. It can also be a lot of fun. The role is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge of science, environmental planning, and government.

A large aspect of the role will initially focus on communications and engagement work for the rural sector.

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

Ideally, you’ll have a relevant tertiary qualification in a communications discipline, along with practical knowledge in developing communication and engagement strategies.

However, experience or a qualification involving critical thinking, collating and interpreting information, and writing for different audiences is also of value.

An affinity for, and an understanding of, farming and rural communities would be of value, but not essential.

Ideally, you’ll: 

• Be resourceful, organised, and ‘can-do’.
• Have strong skills in writing, marketing, communications or engagement. 
• Be able to interpret and translate complex or technical information into everyday language. 
• Be able to build relationships and work with staff across the organisation.
• Have the ability to see things from the community’s perspective.
• Be able to demonstrate discretion and confidentially when dealing with sensitive issues. 
• Have an understanding of te ao Māori and te reo Māori, or a willingness to learn. 

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury   

Our mahi is underpinned by our values: 

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity) 
• Manaakitanga (people first) 
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration) 
• Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce. This diversity enables us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart and mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Ian Letham (022 070 0979).

Applications close on Wednesday, 11 June 2025.  Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We reserve the right to close advertising early.   

Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. 

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can