Business Partner/Senior Advisor People and Culture

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Make an impact where it matters - help shape the future of our people and culture.
• Fixed-term or secondment opportunity until January 2028  based in Christchurch
• Salary range $118,390 - $143,639 + kiwisaver and wellness benefit

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

We’re looking for a People & Culture Business Partner/Senior Advisor to join our Corporate Services, Finance and Enablement group. In this role, you’ll be a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing expert HR guidance and driving organisational development initiatives that align with our strategic priorities. You will support our Immigration NZ group along with a team of Business Partners and Senior Advisors. 

What you’ll do:

• Partner with managers to deliver high-quality HR advice across employment relations, performance management, remuneration, workforce planning, and change management.
• Lead People & Culture workstreams on change projects and broker specialist services to meet business needs.
• Coach and mentor managers to build capability and confidence in people leadership.
• Contribute to projects that enhance our people experience and organisational outcomes.
• Apply commercial acumen to ensure people strategies support organisational performance and sustainability.
• Ensure HR practices are consistent and aligned with our values.

Skills and Experience Required - Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana

• Proven HR expertise (at a Senior/Business Partner level) and experience managing complex ER issues.
• Strong understanding of New Zealand employment legislation.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Experience in change management and organisational development.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.
• A sound understanding of machinery of government principles and public sector governance.
• Think pragmatically and be comfortable working on a wide range of employment situations and issues
• Leads with a customer-centric mindset, is respectful, puts things right, acts with integrity, is responsive and people-centred.
• Ideally have knowledge and experience of te ao Māori and te ao Māori practices, tikanga, te reo along with an appreciation and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles.  Or, if you are at the start of your journey, are open to learn and develop your cultural capability.  
• Tertiary qualification in HR or equivalent experience.

For your application to be considered and to work for Immigration New Zealand you must be a New Zealand Citizen or hold a New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa.

About MBIE - Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

How to Apply - Me pēhea te tono:

Click here to view a position description. 

All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a CV and cover letter.

Email Jess Dalbeth at jess.dalbeth@mbie.govt.nz  f you have any further questions.

Applications close on Friday 2 October 2026 (midnight)