Public Sector Leader Jaclyn Williams Drives Māori Development and Te Reo Revitalisation at Te Puni Kōkiri

Jaclyn Williams (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Tūhoe, Ngāti Maniapoto) is championing Māori development and the strengthening of Crown relationships through her leadership role at Te Puni Kōkiri. As a Manager in the Statutory Entities and Appointments team, Williams leads a dedicated group providing advice to Ministers on entity performance and supporting high-level ministerial appointments across government. According to a profile published by Te Puni Kōkiri on 21 August 2026, Williams grew up in Gisborne and has dedicated over a decade to the public service. Before joining the Ministry in 2015, she spent ten years at the Office of Treaty Settlements. Her current mahi focuses on what happens beyond the settlement process, ensuring the ongoing relationship between the Crown and Māori is maintained and strengthened in practice. A key part of her portfolio involves engaging with entities focused on the revitalisation of te reo Māori, a kaupapa she describes as both an honour and a privilege. Throughout her tenure, Williams has held various leadership roles across Crown-Māori relations policy and economic policy. Her experience includes significant milestones such as working on iwi accords and the statutory pardon for Rua Kēnana. She has also represented Aotearoa on the global stage, attending the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York twice to share local initiatives and learn from international Indigenous perspectives. Williams attributes her long-standing commitment to the shared sense of purpose among her colleagues and the ministry’s support for wellness and te reo Māori classes. She notes that while the work involves complex statutory requirements, the ultimate goal is serving the people of Aotearoa and contributing to the revitalisation of cultural taonga. Reflecting on her 18 months leading her current team, Williams emphasises that the real impact of the mahi is felt when engaging directly with iwi and Māori communities.