Principal Policy Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Work alongside engaged and passionate people
• Join a high-performing branch, which values diversity of thought and is willing to invest into your professional development
• Work on cutting edge economic and regulatory reform needed to manage New Zealand’s valuable resources sector in a way that supports an inclusive and sustainable economy
• Work to help maintain security of supply during a global transition away from fossil fuels, getting the balance right between domestic and global energy and mineral needs with best practice extraction
• Salary range: $132,417 - $160,472 including Kiwisaver
• Up to two roles available, 9 – 12 months Fixed-term or secondment opportunity, flexible location – Wellington, Auckland or Christchurch

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

This is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the resources sector. You will be an experienced policy professional, able to lead policy workstreams, and provide advice on New Zealand's petroleum and mineral resources, while working closely with other agencies and sector stakeholders.
 
You will use your analytical skills to work on a complex and stimulating work programme, identifying emerging issues and tackling key policy and regulatory challenges to support the Government’s priorities for the sector.

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

• Experience at leading complex regulatory policy and strategy work programmes 
• Significant experience of the policy production process, including iwi and stakeholder engagement/consultation processes
• Ability to think critically, analyse evidence and information and develop clear, well-reasoned advice
• Demonstrated engagement capability in working with Ministers, senior public service officials, iwi and commercial stakeholders
• Passion for leading and coaching others to develop their policy craft and take their careers to the next level 
• Previous experience with the resources sector value chain and/or international trade policy would be beneficial. 

Why work for us?

It is an exciting time to be working in resources policy! The resources sector is absolutely critical to the prosperity of New Zealand, to ensure we have a secure supply of the energy and minerals we need to keep our lights on and the economy growing. 

About our Team:

The Resource Policy team is at the centre of a number of Government priorities including:

• Ensuring the government's energy settings allow for the exploration of natural geological hydrogen in New Zealand, to maximise future energy resilience.
• Increasing the scale and pace of development of New Zealand’s abundant minerals and geothermal resource
• Taking a long-term, strategic approach to New Zealand’s minerals resource by delivering the actions set out in the Government’s Minerals Strategy, including consideration of preferential pathways for critical minerals. 
• Rebuilding investor confidence in oil and gas exploration

We also work closely with other government agencies including the Department of Conservation and Ministry for the Environment to provide secondary policy advice on a number of Natural Resource Sector policy projects. The Crown's Treaty partners are front and centre of our engagement approach to our work, and we also work closely with stakeholders including industry and NGOs.

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.

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/18707 if you have any further questions.

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

Applications close at 5pm on 3rd December 2025.