Oriwia Puku
Rotorua
Summary
- Strategic Māori Advisor and experienced leader across Social Services and Cultural Policy. Adept at embedding Te Tiriti Waitangi at every organisational level and driving initiatives that uplift iwi and Māori communities. Committed to growing Māori workforce capability and equipping the wider workforce to deliver culturally safe, high-quality services. Known for partnership-focused leadership, operational excellence, and advancing meaningful, culturally grounded change.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Pou Ārahi Māori Senior Advisor
Presbyterian Support South Canterbury
11.2024 - 08.2025
- Demonstrated ability to grow Māori participation within Presbyterian Support by leading targeted recruitment, supporting Māori staff development pathways, and embedding systems that uphold equity and cultural safety.
- Developed cultural competency programmes — enhanced staff understanding, cultural responsiveness, and confidence in applying Te Ao Māori principles in practice.
- Advised organisational leadership — provided strategic guidance to strengthen workplace inclusivity, cultural safety, and Te Tiriti-aligned decision-making.
- Implemented and monitored strategy — worked collaboratively with the Presbyterian Support South Canterbury Board and Senior Leadership Team to drive culturally grounded organisational outcomes.
- Guided strategic relationship building — supported teams across Presbyterian Support South Canterbury to establish and maintain strong partnerships with mana whenua.
- Supported policy development — contributed to policies that reflect Te Tiriti
- Waitangi and uphold Presbyterian Support South Canterbury values.
- Provided supervision and capability-building workshops
Administrator Team Leader
Gavin Lowe Energy Timaru
04.2023 - 08.2025
- Streamlined administrative processes to enhance operational efficiency across all departments.
- Customised HVAC mechanical and ventilation quotes for residential and commercial business. Competent sales representative of HVAC air conditioning, ventilation and underfloor heating for mechanical solutions.
- Assisted in the recruitment process by screening resumes, conducting interviews, and making hiring recommendations based on candidate qualifications.
- Beginning to End process of Purchase orders, purchase sales and purchase invoices. Reconciliation of all Supplier and Customer accounts.
- Ensured compliance with all health and safety regulations for new employees and current employees. Facilitated fortnightly Health and Safety meetings.
- Achieved Sitewise Gold status for 2024/2025 for Health and Safety contract regulations.
- Monitored site and workplace conditions to investigate accidents to prevent accidents
Senior Māori Advisor
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island
03.2019 - 03.2023
- Enabled staff growth in cultural competency by guiding the practical application of Te Rauemi Atawhai across the organisation.
- Influenced strategic direction by advising the Senior Leadership Team and Kaiārahi on strengthening the integration of Te Reo Māori, Mātauranga, Tikanga, and Kaupapa Māori.
- Fostered meaningful relationships with local iwi and hapū, contributing to stronger, more collaborative partnerships.
- Successfully led initiatives that improved Service Delivery capability to meet organisational commitments under Te Tiriti
- Waitangi.
Programme Coordinator
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island
03.2019 - 03.2023
- Developed individualised support programme plans – Budgeting programmes to increase independence and reduce long term benefit dependency.
- Delivered programmes where necessary based on the needs of our youth
- Oversaw the referral process for internal and external referrals. Ensuring all referrals were completed in a timely manner to meet organisational goals.
- Managed, coordinated and prioritized multiple tasks and reporting for funders.
Youth Coach
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island
03.2017 - 03.2019
- Implemented creative programs to engage the youth and increase their participation in activities.
- Case management support - managing budget, collaborating referrals with external agencies, navigating services for financial support, employment and education.
- Built strong relationships with Service Providers to increase knowledge and to ensure programs meet the needs of our young people.
- Provide Taiohi with intensive, tailored support to identify their goals and find the best path to reach them.
Case Manager
Ministry of Social Development
01.2009 - 03.2017
- Provided support and navigated a pathway for individuals to support them in their finances. Key to the role is remaining adaptable and working in a variety of different cases simultaneously.
- Some of my duties include assisting clients in providing financial assistance, identifying client's eligibility for entitlements, addressing employment and non-employment related issues, supporting jobseekers by drawing on a range of resources and connecting each client to the right provider, employer and services within the community to attain sustainable employment to support their financial needs and transition them into independence.
Education
Youth Mental Health First Aid - Youth Mental Health
Te Pou
Wellington 03-2026
Introduction To Leadership Level 1&2 - Educational Leadership And Management
Learning Works
Hamilton, NZ12-2023
NCEA Level 3 -
Whangarei Girls High School
Whangarei12-2005
Skills
- Strategic Māori Advisory
- People management
- Leadership
- Cultural competency
- Policy analysis
- Workshop facilitation
- Team building
- Quality assurance
Timeline
Pou Ārahi Māori Senior Advisor
Presbyterian Support South Canterbury
11.2024 - 08.2025
Administrator Team Leader
Gavin Lowe Energy Timaru
04.2023 - 08.2025
Senior Māori Advisor
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island
03.2019 - 03.2023
Programme Coordinator
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island
03.2019 - 03.2023
Youth Coach
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island
03.2017 - 03.2019
Case Manager
Ministry of Social Development
01.2009 - 03.2017
Youth Mental Health First Aid - Youth Mental Health
Te Pou
Introduction To Leadership Level 1&2 - Educational Leadership And Management
Learning Works
NCEA Level 3 -
Whangarei Girls High School