Mediator (Employment)

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Are you an experienced Mediator with an understanding of the New Zealand employment jurisdiction?
• Do you enjoy making a difference for people who need help resolving employment matters?
• Industrial relations experience is an advantage. 
• Permanent, full-time role based in Victoria Street, Wellington.
• Salary $96,453-$121,196 +KiwiSaver + Wellness Benefits.

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

Mediators play a critical role under the provisions of the Employment Relations Act, helping to resolve employment relationship problems and disputes and support constructive employment relationships. This may involve working with parties separately or together, in person, online, or over the phone.

We are looking for someone who enjoys working with people in high conflict situations and can support them through a process that is accessible, culturally appropriate, and responsive to diverse needs. The role requires applying best practice dispute resolution methods, alongside an understanding of employment relationships and workplace dynamics.

The role sits within the Dispute Resolution rōpū, which provides an impartial dispute resolution service, grounded in principles of multi partiality, to employees, employers and businesses, and their representatives (including unions) experiencing employment relationship problems and disputes across New Zealand.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

• Understanding of relevant employment legislation, collective bargaining, and employment relations
• Mediation accreditation (or equivalent experience), with the ability to apply early resolution (where appropriate) and other dispute resolution techniques to manage complex employment cases through to resolution
• Experience working with people in sensitive contexts, with the ability to respond appropriately to a wide range of needs, perspectives, and lived experiences across diverse communities. For example, this may include engaging effectively across different cultural backgrounds and other personal characteristics, including accessibility needs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with people across a range of backgrounds, roles, and experience levels
• Demonstrated empathy and active listening skills, with the ability to remain impartial (or multi-partial) and work constructively with parties holding differing views and interests
• Flexible, adaptable, and resilient, with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a caseload through to closure in a fast-paced environment
• Relevant lived experience, volunteer work, or qualifications that support success in the role
• Willingness and ability to travel within New Zealand as required 
• 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 ahunga roa o ngā iwi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki 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 kaupapa kua 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 send a 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 Jackie Johnson at jackie.johnson@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19640 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 25th June 2026 at 5pm