Senior Policy Advisor
Wellington, NZ, 6011 Auckland, NZ, 1010 Christchurch, NZ, 8013 Dunedin, NZ, 9016
Discover a career with purpose at MBIE
· Tackle complex and high-impact policy challenges that shape the future of New Zealand’s building and construction sector
· Grow your regulatory and legislative policy skills with opportunities to lead on innovative reforms and drive system wide improvements
· Engage directly with stakeholders to deliver practical solutions that make a real difference for New Zealanders
· Salary: $110,098 - $138,028 + KiwiSaver and Wellness Benefits.
· Flexible on location: Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch
Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:
The building sector is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s economy – contributing over 6 percent to our gross domestic product (GDP) and employing more than 250,000 people. A well-functioning sector supports not only economic growth, but also the health, safety and wellbeing of our communities.
MBIE is the over-arching regulator of New Zealand’s building system. Our building regulatory teams provide policy and technical advice, develop and implement legislation and set standards to ensure the system meets the needs of New Zealanders – now and into the future.
We have an exciting opportunity for a policy professional to join the Consenting & Practitioners Policy team! Our team provides regulatory policy advice and identifies and solves problems in the building and construction sector to support the construction of safe, healthy, and durable buildings.
Our current focus is on a series of initiatives that will increase housing supply by reducing barriers, improving competition in the building system and lowering costs.
Key work includes:
· Streamlining the building consent system, with changes including introducing self-certification for entire builds and plumbing and drain laying work, and reducing inspection delays;
· Removing barriers for the use of overseas building products and requiring councils to accept products that meet international standards which are the same as or higher than those in New Zealand; and
· Strengthening oversight of building professionals, ensuring competency and accountability frameworks are fit for purpose and consumer are well informed.
We are a collaborative and motivated team, with a big work programme. Our people are located across the country and we operate a “matrix management” model. This means you will have the opportunity to lead and take ownership of policy projects, and work alongside and learn from a range of people with different areas of expertise.
We are committed to your development. In Consenting & Practitioners Policy you will be encouraged to try new things and build off your strengths to broaden your skills. We will support you to succeed and grow in your career.
Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -
Skills and Experience Required
For the role of Senior Policy Advisor ideally you bring:
· Expertise in public policy, either as a Senior Policy Advisor or through transferable experience in advisory, legal, or related fields.
· Experience leading complex policy projects, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes.
· A strong drive to produce robust, evidence-based policy and regulatory advice that makes a meaningful impact.
· Analytical thinking and intellectual curiosity, with a knack for asking the right questions and exploring new ideas.
· Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, enabling you to build trust and secure commitment across diverse groups.
· Comfort working in ambiguity, with the resilience and focus to navigate complexity and deliver results.
· A creative and solutions-focused mindset, enjoying the challenge of tackling difficult problems and generating innovative approaches.
· Collaborative working style, with the ability to build strong relationships and contribute positively to team dynamics.
· A passion for mentoring and developing others, helping colleagues grow their policy expertise and advance their careers.
· Commitment to growing your cultural capability, including understanding of te ao Māori, te reo Māori, and the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in shaping public policy
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 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.
We can't wait to hear from you!
Email Monica Chow at monica.chow2@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/17757 if you have any further questions.
Applications close on Sunday 27 July 2025