Policy Advisors - all levels ( Commerce, Consumer and Business Branch)

Date:  14 Aug 2026
Location: 

Wellington, NZ, 6011

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

 

  • Make a difference to New Zealand’s economy.
  • Work on cutting-edge and high-profile policy and regulatory reform to promote competition, ensure well-functioning financial markets, and improve outcomes for consumers. 
  • Join a high-performing branch and work alongside passionate and talented people. 
  • Multiple policy positions at Principal, Senior, and Advisor level, permanent and fixed-term or secondment.
  • Wellington-based location preferred.

 

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

 

 

This is an exciting opportunity to make a difference working on New Zealand’s core financial markets policy, competition policy, and improving competition in key markets!

 

We are currently undertaking a significant review of the Commerce Act 1986, and leading work on improving competition in key markets, such as grocery and banking. We are also exploring future regulatory work on New Zealand’s payment service providers and capital markets.

 

In addition, we are also working on a range of other key policy and regulatory reforms to improve the commercial environment in which New Zealand businesses and consumers operate.

The workstreams present some of the largest opportunities to help deliver on the Government’s objective to promote economic growth through competitive business settings and markets.

 

We are looking for:

  • Experienced senior policy advisors and advisors, permanent and fixed-term or secondments (6 months and above)
  • Highly experienced principal advisor for a fixed-term or secondment.

 

The positions are in the Competition Policy Team, the Market Performance Team, the Financial Markets Team, and the Consumer Policy Team. If you have a preference to apply for a specific team please note this in your cover letter.

 

You will use your analytical skills to work on a complex and stimulating work programme, tackling key policy and regulatory challenges. You will work with other agencies and sector stakeholders to identify emerging issues, international best practice and embed policy that supports competition to benefit New Zealand businesses and consumers.

 

Salary Range:

  • Policy Advisor: $75,114 – $93,724
  • Senior Policy Advisor:  $110,098 - $138,028
  • Principal Policy Advisor: $132,417 - $160,472

 

Come join us make a difference!

 

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

 

For the Policy Advisor role, ideally you would bring:

  • A good base of experience in public policy and policy development disciplines and processes. 
  • Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative evidence and information and develop clear, well-reasoned advice.
  • Ability to work on tricky problems and getting to the heart of an issue quickly, generating ideas and coming up with solutions.
  • Ability to convey complex ideas in simple plain English. 
  • Ability to build relationships with others and work collaboratively.

 

For the Senior Policy Advisor and Principal Advisor roles, ideally you will also bring:

  • Ability to lead complex policy and strategy work programmes – from policy development through to implementation.
  • Ability to engage with Ministers and senior officials. 
  • Coaching and upskilling more junior team members.
  • Law and economics background and relevant experience desirable.

 

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.

 

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.

 

How to Apply - Me pēhea te tono:

 

Click the options below to view the position descriptions for each role.

 

All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

 

Email Monica Chow at monica.chow2@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19796 if you have any further questions.

 

Applications close on Sunday, 30th August at 11.59pm.

 

Applicants will be progressed as they apply, so if this sounds like you, please apply now!