Product Designer ( Curriculum Designer - Māori Medium)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer (Curriculum Designer - Māori Medium)

Company: Ministry of Education (New Zealand)

Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Job Type: Fixed-term/Secondment (until June 2027)

Category: Curriculum Design & Educational Product Development

Date Posted: May 18, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and development of high-quality, culturally responsive curriculum and assessment initiatives specifically for Māori Medium education settings.

• Ensure alignment with both The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa frameworks, fostering cohesive and integrated learning experiences.

• Drive innovation and transformation within the education system to equip Māori medium learners with essential knowledge and skills for success in diverse contexts.

• Collaborate extensively across various business groups and programme workstreams to ensure effective and cohesive delivery of national curriculum and assessment priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a specialized product design position focused on educational curriculum within the Māori Medium education sector. The "Product Designer" title in this context refers to the creation and structuring of educational content and learning pathways, rather than digital product development. The emphasis on "Māori Medium" implies a deep understanding and application of kaupapa Māori principles and te reo Māori is critical.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the design and development of innovative curriculum and assessment resources that are culturally responsive and align with national educational frameworks.

• Translate complex curriculum theories and policy requirements into practical, engaging, and effective teaching and learning opportunities for Māori medium students.

• Contribute to the strategic planning and execution of the Curriculum and Assessment Change Programme, ensuring Māori medium perspectives are embedded.

• Facilitate strong partnerships and collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders, external providers, and educational communities to ensure cohesive programme delivery.

• Champion kaupapa Māori approaches and culturally responsive practices throughout the curriculum design process, ensuring equitable outcomes for Māori learners.

• Conduct research and analysis to inform curriculum design decisions, staying abreast of best practices in Māori medium education and assessment.

• Support the development and implementation of aromatawai (assessment) strategies that are appropriate for Māori medium learning contexts.

• Engage with Māori communities and educational leaders to gather feedback and ensure curriculum designs meet the needs of learners, kaiako (teachers), and tumuaki (principals).

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on curriculum design and assessment within a government education ministry, responsibilities will heavily involve policy interpretation, framework application, and stakeholder engagement. The emphasis on "Te Poutāhū | Curriculum Centre" and the "Curriculum & Assessment Change Programme" indicates a significant, strategic project with national impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Education, Curriculum Studies, Māori Studies, or a related field is highly desirable.

Experience:

• Proven experience in curriculum design, development, or refresh initiatives within New Zealand educational settings.

• Demonstrated experience working with or designing for The New Zealand Curriculum and/or Te Marautanga o Aotearoa frameworks.

Required Skills:

• Curriculum Design Expertise: Proven ability to design and develop high-quality, culturally responsive curriculum and assessment materials.

• Framework Application: Strong understanding and practical experience with The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.

• Kaupapa Māori & Culturally Responsive Practice: Deep knowledge and application of Māori principles and culturally responsive pedagogical approaches.

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, build relationships, and foster collaborative outcomes.

• Translational Skills: Ability to translate complex educational concepts into practical, engaging learning opportunities for students and guidance for educators.

• Commitment to Equity: A demonstrable commitment to improving educational outcomes for Māori learners.

Preferred Skills:

• Teaching Background: Experience as a primary or secondary school teacher.

• Te Reo Māori Proficiency: Fluency or working proficiency in te reo Māori.

• National Initiatives Experience: Prior experience with curriculum refresh projects or other national educational initiatives.

• Assessment Design: Experience in designing or developing assessment tools and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Product Designer" title in this role is a strategic way to frame the creation of educational "products" (curricula, assessments). Therefore, skills in instructional design, educational psychology, and pedagogical strategy are implicitly required, alongside the explicit requirements for cultural capability and framework knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Curriculum Design Examples: Showcase of previously designed curriculum units, learning pathways, or pedagogical resources, particularly those demonstrating cultural responsiveness.

• Assessment Design Samples: Examples of assessment tools, rubrics, or evaluation frameworks developed, highlighting alignment with learning objectives and cultural considerations.

• Framework Application Case Studies: Documentation or descriptions of projects where The New Zealand Curriculum or Te Marautanga o Aotearoa frameworks were successfully applied or adapted.

• Process Documentation: Evidence of structured design processes, including needs analysis, stakeholder consultation, iterative development, and quality assurance.

Process Documentation:

• Curriculum Development Workflow: Detailed outline of your typical process for conceptualizing, designing, and refining curriculum content, from initial brief to final output.

• Stakeholder Consultation Methods: Examples of how you engage with diverse stakeholders (teachers, learners, community members, subject matter experts) to inform design decisions and gather feedback.

• Quality Assurance & Alignment: Description of how you ensure curriculum and assessment designs are high-quality, coherent, culturally appropriate, and aligned with national standards and policy.

• Implementation Support: Strategies or examples of how you support the implementation of designed curriculum and assessment resources in educational settings.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a curriculum design role, a traditional "product portfolio" is less about digital artifacts and more about documented educational initiatives. Candidates should be prepared to present case studies of their curriculum development work, emphasizing the pedagogical rationale, cultural considerations, and measurable impact on learning.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $119,171 - $144,560 per annum (NZD)

Benefits:

• Kiwi Saver: Contribution to the Kiwi Saver retirement savings scheme.

• Supportive Working Arrangements: Flexible work options and arrangements to support work-life balance.

• Professional Growth and Development: Commitment to ongoing learning, training, and career advancement opportunities.

• Meaningful Impact: Opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of education and improving outcomes for Māori learners across Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Supportive Team Environment: Access to a values-driven and collaborative team culture.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week.

• The role is based on-site in Wellington, with supportive working arrangements that may offer some flexibility in how these hours are managed, but the core expectation is full-time engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a mid-to-senior level specialist role within the New Zealand public sector, especially for positions requiring specialized cultural and educational expertise. The benefits highlight a commitment to employee well-being and professional development, common in government roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government / Public Sector (Education)

Company Size: Large (Ministry of Education is a significant government department)

Founded: The Ministry of Education in its current form was established in 1964, with a long history of service to education in New Zealand.

Team Structure:

• Māori-Medium Team: A specialized team within the Curriculum & Assessment Change Programme, focused on ensuring Māori medium education needs are met. This team plays a crucial role in growing capability and understanding of kaupapa Māori and Māori-medium education.

• Curriculum & Assessment Change Programme: A large, cross-functional programme involving multiple workstreams and business groups across the Ministry.

• Reporting Structure: The Curriculum Designer will likely report to a Programme Manager or Team Lead within the Māori-Medium Team, with significant collaboration across the wider programme.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by research, evidence, and consultation with educational experts and communities.

• Collaborative Development: Emphasis on co-design and partnership with stakeholders to ensure relevance and efficacy.

• Culturally Responsive Frameworks: Adherence to and promotion of kaupapa Māori and culturally responsive pedagogical principles.

• Iterative Improvement: A commitment to continuous refinement of curriculum and assessment based on feedback and evaluation.

Company Website: https://www.education.govt.nz/

📝 Enhancement Note: The Ministry of Education operates with a strong public service ethos, emphasizing equity, excellence, and cultural responsiveness. The "Te Poutāhū | Curriculum Centre" is a key hub for national curriculum development, operating within a large governmental framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Senior Specialist, with potential for leadership within the programme.

Reporting Structure:

Operations Impact:

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialized Expertise: Deepen expertise in Māori medium curriculum design, assessment, and kaupapa Māori principles, becoming a recognized subject matter expert.

• Programme Leadership: Potential to move into lead design roles or management positions within the programme or other Ministry initiatives related to curriculum and assessment development.

• Cross-Functional Experience: Gain broad exposure to different aspects of educational policy and implementation within a large government organization.

• Professional Development: Access to training, workshops, and conferences relevant to curriculum design, Māori education, and public sector project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional Revenue or Sales Operations role, the "operations" aspect here refers to the operationalization of educational policy and curriculum design. Growth opportunities will be within the educational sector and public service, focusing on policy implementation, curriculum leadership, and potentially team management within the Ministry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Government Ministry Office.

Office Location(s):

• Wellington: Primary preference for this role, indicating a need for on-site presence in the capital city.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Opportunities for regular interaction with colleagues within the Māori-Medium team and across the wider programme. Expect team meetings, workshops, and project discussions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office productivity tools, potentially specialized educational design software, and government IT infrastructure.

• Operations Team Interaction: Close collaboration with policy advisors, assessment specialists, Māori engagement teams, and project managers, all contributing to the operationalization of curriculum initiatives.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week). While supportive working arrangements are mentioned, the nature of curriculum development and national programme delivery often requires dedicated focus and availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Wellington preference suggests the role is tied to the central hub for curriculum development, implying a need for physical presence for key meetings, workshops, and direct collaboration with other central teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, cover letter, and resume to assess alignment with core requirements, particularly cultural capability and curriculum experience.

• Panel Interview: Likely to involve key stakeholders from the Māori-Medium Team and the Curriculum & Assessment Change Programme. Expect questions focused on your understanding of Māori medium education, curriculum design principles, kaupapa Māori, and collaborative approach.

• Portfolio Presentation/Discussion: Candidates may be asked to present specific examples from their portfolio or discuss how they would approach a hypothetical curriculum design challenge.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to assess strategic fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Cultural Competence: Clearly demonstrate your understanding and application of kaupapa Māori and culturally responsive practices in your portfolio examples.

• Highlight Framework Application: Provide concrete examples of how you have used or adapted The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.

• Focus on Impact: For each example, articulate the learning objectives, the design process, the challenges overcome, and the intended or actual impact on learners and educators.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or skill demonstrated. Be prepared to walk the interview panel through your most relevant work.

• Emphasize Collaboration: Include examples that showcase your ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Challenge Preparation:

• Curriculum Design Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical scenario requiring you to outline an approach to designing a specific curriculum unit or assessment tool for Māori medium learners. Focus on your process, cultural considerations, and alignment with frameworks.

• Policy Interpretation: Understand current educational policy directions in New Zealand, particularly regarding Māori education and curriculum reform.

• Te Reo Māori: If you have claimed proficiency, be ready to use te reo Māori during the interview or in your portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a government role typically involves structured behavioural and situational questions. The portfolio review is crucial for demonstrating practical application of skills, especially cultural capability and curriculum design expertise.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word (for document creation), PowerPoint (for presentations), Excel (for data analysis and tracking).

• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or similar for team communication and document sharing.

• Project Management Software: Potentially used for tracking progress within the Curriculum & Assessment Change Programme (e.g., Asana, Trello, or internal government systems).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Basic to intermediate use of Excel for analyzing feedback, survey data, or learner outcomes.

• Reporting Dashboards: Familiarity with creating or interpreting reports on programme progress or educational metrics, possibly using government-specific reporting tools.

CRM & Automation:

• Not applicable: This role does not involve CRM or marketing automation in the traditional sense. The focus is on educational content and process design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role is typical of a professional office environment within the public sector, focused on productivity, collaboration, and document management rather than specialized software development tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Equity: A core value driving the Ministry's work, ensuring all learners have access to quality education. This role directly contributes to equitable outcomes for Māori learners.

• Excellence: A commitment to high standards in curriculum design, assessment, and educational delivery.

• Coherence: Ensuring consistency and alignment across the national curriculum and assessment systems.

• Cultural Responsiveness: Embedding kaupapa Māori and valuing the diverse cultures of New Zealand students.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across teams and with external partners to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Expect a collaborative approach where ideas are shared, feedback is actively sought, and collective ownership of outcomes is valued.

• Process-Focused: Emphasis on well-defined design and development processes that ensure quality and consistency.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices, insights, and learnings to benefit the wider programme and team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Ministry of Education's values are deeply rooted in the Treaty of Waitangi and a commitment to serving all New Zealanders. The team culture will reflect these public service principles, prioritizing collaboration, cultural respect, and a shared mission for educational improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Systems: Working within a large government bureaucracy with established processes and stakeholder groups.

• Balancing Diverse Needs: Ensuring curriculum designs meet the requirements of multiple stakeholders, including learners, teachers, parents, and policy makers, while upholding kaupapa Māori.

• Translating Policy to Practice: Effectively translating national policy and strategic goals into tangible, effective curriculum and assessment resources.

• Cultural Nuance: Deeply embedding and respectfully representing Māori culture and language within educational frameworks requires ongoing learning and sensitivity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Opportunities to attend workshops and training focused on advanced curriculum design, mātauranga Māori, te reo Māori, and assessment methodologies.

• Industry Conferences: Participation in educational conferences and forums relevant to Māori medium education and curriculum development.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior curriculum experts or leaders within the Ministry.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead specific workstreams or projects, developing project management and leadership skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to large-scale public sector projects and specialized roles. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening expertise in educational design and leadership within the public service.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Curriculum Design Philosophy: Be prepared to discuss your personal philosophy on curriculum design, emphasizing culturally responsive approaches and alignment with frameworks like Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.

• Kaupapa Māori Application: How do you practically apply kaupapa Māori principles in curriculum development? Provide specific examples.

• Collaboration Scenarios: Describe a time you successfully collaborated with diverse stakeholders on an educational project. How did you manage differing perspectives?

• Problem-Solving in Education: How would you approach designing a curriculum for a complex or emerging learning area within the Māori medium context?

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation for the Role: Why are you interested in this specific role within the Ministry of Education and the Māori Medium team?

• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi: How does your understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi inform your approach to educational design?

• Contribution to Equity: How will your skills and experience contribute to the Ministry's goal of achieving equitable outcomes for Māori learners?

• Team Fit: How do you see yourself fitting into a values-driven, collaborative team environment?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as stories – outlining the challenge, your approach, your role, the solution, and the outcome.

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate the steps you took in designing your examples, highlighting decision points and rationale.

• Quantify Impact (where possible): If you have data or feedback on the effectiveness of your designs, present it clearly.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Be ready to discuss how you ensured cultural appropriateness and responsiveness in your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should strongly emphasize demonstrating cultural competence, understanding of the New Zealand education system (especially Māori Medium), and proven curriculum design skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the 'apply' button on the Ministry Careers website.

• Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Clearly articulate your motivations for applying, your understanding of Māori medium education, your values, and how your skills and diverse perspectives align with the role and the Ministry's mission.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight specific experiences related to curriculum design, assessment, Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, kaupapa Māori, and stakeholder engagement. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Gather 2-3 key examples of your curriculum design or assessment development work. Be ready to discuss them in detail, focusing on process, cultural considerations, and impact.

• Research the Ministry: Familiarize yourself with the Ministry of Education's strategic priorities, particularly concerning Māori learners and the Curriculum & Assessment Change Programme. Understand their values and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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