The Department of Conservation's Invercargill area office manager, Dave Taylor, has begun his new role of Otago-Southland pou tairangahau (indigenous opportunities manager).
The pou tairangahau is a new position created as part of Doc's new model of operating and its external focus.
It replaces two positions - one in Invercargill and one in Dunedin - and he will split his working time between both cities.
The primary purpose of the role is to lead Doc's engagement with iwi, whanau and hapu.
Otago and Southland acting conservator Alan McKenzie said the role would enable opportunities for Doc and iwi to work together "even more than we already do".
Mr Taylor (Ngai Tahu) said the role would be demanding and challenging, "but at the same time offering huge satisfaction in achieving positive outcomes for iwi, whanau, hapu, the wider community and the environment."
His former role will be filled by Andy Roberts, who will be acting area manager until June next year.
