Manager Tourism Regions and Hospitality

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Exciting policy leadership role leading a critical tourism policy function in MBIE.
• Shape strategic policy settings to support long-term economic success of our tourism regions and the hospitality sector.
• Drive impact as part of a collaborative, high-performing policy leadership team working closely with the tourism and hospitality sector to deliver for New Zealand.
• Permanent full-time role | Wellington CBD
• Salary: $164,957 - $247,435 (includes Kiwisaver) + Wellness benefits

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

The Tourism & Hospitality branch is the Government’s advisor on all things Tourism and Hospitality. Tourism is New Zealand’s second largest export earner and a significant sector to our economic success. The Minister for Tourism and Hospitality launched an ambitious Tourism Growth Roadmap last year, making this a really exciting time to join us.

The work of the Tourism Regions and Hospitality policy team is varied – from quick fire policy advice to strategic thinking on the regional tourism system to make it fit for the future. The team covers the whole spectrum of policy levers including coordinating and influencing, funding, strategy and regulatory change.

We are looking for an experienced Policy Manager to join us and lead the policy work programme on regional tourism and hospitality. The Policy Manager is responsible for providing high quality advice to the Minister and is a key member of the branch leadership team. You will use your experience of leading policy discussions with Ministers and stakeholders to build and advance relationships across the tourism and hospitality system and manage your team’s policy work programme.

We’re a high performing branch with great engagement scores. We’re looking for somebody who can combine their policy leadership experience with a strong people-centred approach to help us deliver an interesting, intellectually stimulating and busy policy work programme. You’ll need to know how to work collaboratively with other managers and be open to taking on challenges and opportunities thrown your way.

If you are an experienced policy leader, have a can-do problem solving attitude, and an ability to build trusted relationships at senior levels, we want to hear from you.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

• Collaborative, people-focused leader who fosters an inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Proven ability to build and lead strong teams, set strategic direction, allocate resources effectively, and exercise sound judgment in managing risks and opportunities.
• Extensive experience in leading complex policy work.
• Strong relationship management skills, with demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with Ministers, senior officials, and diverse stakeholders.
• Political awareness and pragmatic approach to navigating complex environments.
• Innovative problem-solver, capable of identifying alternative pathways to achieve desired outcomes.

**At time of application you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.**

Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About 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.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahungaroa o ngāi wi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, katutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapakua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:

Click here to view a position description. 

When you are ready to apply, please submit your CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

Email Fati Tagata at fati.tagata@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/18963 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Sunday 8 February 2026.