Jaclyn Williams (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Tūhoe, Ngāti Maniapoto) is a Manager in the Statutory Entities and Appointments team within Governance and Corporate. Since joining Te Puni Kōkiri in 2015, she has built a career grounded in Māori development and strengthening Iwi and Māori relations with the Crown, bringing together her experience across policy, governance, and engagement with iwi.

Jaclyn grew up in Gisborne, where she was born and raised, and says her whakapapa continues to shape who she is both personally and professionally. Before joining Te Puni Kōkiri, she spent 10 years at the Office of Treaty Settlements and was ready for a new challenge, particularly one that allowed her to build on her experience in settlements and focus on what happens beyond them. “I had been working in Treaty settlements and was really interested in what came next, how the Crown–Māori relationship is maintained and strengthened in practice,” she says. “Moving to Te Puni Kōkiri felt like a natural next step.”

After joining Te Puni Kōkiri, Jaclyn spent nine years in the Policy Puni, where she held a number of leadership roles across Crown-Māori relations policy, economic policy and the te reo Māori portfolio, and also spent time acting at a senior leadership level. Over that time, she developed a strong foundation in policy before making a shift into her current role. “After a long time working in policy, I was ready for something different. This role felt like the next stage, supporting the implementation of the work I had been involved in for years,” she says.

In her current role, Jaclyn leads a team that works across statutory and Crown entities, providing advice to Ministers on entity performance and supporting ministerial appointments. The work includes engaging closely with entities focused on key kaupapa, including the revitalisation of te reo Māori, as well as supporting appointment processes across government. “We work closely with a range of entities, including those focused on revitalising te reo Māori,” she says. “We also act as a nominating agency, supporting both our Minister and others with appointments to governance roles.”

Jaclyn enjoys the challenge and variety that comes with her role, particularly the opportunity to shape and grow her team while working in a complex and evolving space. Having been in the role for around 18 months, she reflects on the experience of rebuilding and reshaping the team as one of the most rewarding aspects so far. “One of the biggest challenges has been rebuilding and reshaping the team, and that in itself has been really rewarding,” she says. Alongside this, she is motivated by the kaupapa her team contributes to, particularly supporting entities that play a role in revitalising te reo Māori. “A big part of our work supports that space, and it’s an honour and a privilege to be part of that journey in Aotearoa,” she says. “No two days are the same. We balance statutory requirements, policy direction, and relationships with the entities we work with.”

Jaclyn says her passion for Māori development has been a consistent driver throughout her career and continues to shape the work she chooses to do. “That’s what gets me out of bed in the morning,” she says. She also credits the people at Te Puni Kōkiri as a major reason she has stayed, describing a shared sense of purpose that is hard to find elsewhere. “There’s something really special about being surrounded by people who share the same passion for the kaupapa,” she says. “You often see people leave and then come back, bringing new experiences with them. There’s a real pull to return.”

Reflecting on her time in the public service, Jaclyn says some of her most memorable experiences have come from engaging directly with iwi and Māori communities, and from opportunities to represent Aotearoa internationally. “Some of the most meaningful work happens when you’re out engaging with iwi and Māori communities — that’s where the real mahi is,” she says. She has also attended the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York twice, where she was able to both learn from global Indigenous perspectives and share the work happening in Aotearoa. Her career has included work on iwi accords and significant kaupapa such as the statutory pardon for Rua Kēnana, reflecting the breadth of experience she has gained across different parts of the public service.

Jaclyn highlights the importance of maintaining perspective in her role, particularly when the day-to-day work becomes demanding. “It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day work, but when you step back, you realise we’re contributing to the revitalisation of our taonga and serving the people of Aotearoa,” she says. “How cool is that? It’s such an honor and a privilege.”

She points to a range of benefits at Te Puni Kōkiri, including wellness allowances, childcare support, te reo Māori classes, and a strong work–life balance, all of which support kaimahi to bring their whole selves to work. “The wellness allowance is great because it supports whatever helps you maintain balance,” she says. “There’s also strong support for whānau commitments, which makes a big difference.”

For Jaclyn, it is the combination of meaningful kaupapa, strong relationships, and shared purpose that makes Te Puni Kōkiri a place she values. “Whether it’s supporting Ministers, working with entities, or engaging with iwi, it all contributes to something bigger,” she says. “That’s what makes the work so rewarding.”