Senior Policy Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Make a difference and drive real change.
• Join a high-performing policy team shaping how work is regulated in New Zealand.
• Policy role with meaningful, high-impact work
• Wellington Central | Permanent, full time
• $110,098 – $138,028 + KiwiSaver + wellness benefits

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you’ll work on complex, high-profile issues that directly shape New Zealand’s future.

You’ll bring strong policy judgement and influence, working with Ministers, agencies, and stakeholders to deliver practical, well tested advice. You’ll navigate a dynamic political environment, drawing on your understanding of legislation, policy processes, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi to develop solutions that stand up in the real world.

You’ll also play an important role in supporting others — sharing your expertise, coaching colleagues, and contributing to a strong and capable team.

In this role, you could be:

• Leading advice to support Select Committee scrutiny
• Contributing to the development of legislation for Ministers’ priorities
• Working with regulators to ensure new laws are implemented effectively

About the team – Employment Relations Policy Team

We work at the heart of employment law — shaping the rules that govern relationships between employers and workers, including collective bargaining, dispute resolution, personal grievances and pay equity.

Our work is high-profile, fast-paced, and often involves complex trade-offs. We provide clear, evidence-based advice in a dynamic and sometimes challenging environment.
We’re a supportive, close-knit team that works collaboratively and backs each other to succeed.

About the team – Accident Compensation Policy

We advise the Minister for Accident Compensation Policy on the legislation and regulations that govern the Accident Compensation Scheme. We work closely with the Accident Compensation Corporation which delivers the scheme.

Our work helps ensure the scheme provides effective accident prevention, rehabilitation, and compensation for everyone in New Zealand. Our policy domain sits at the nexus of social, economic, and health policy. 

Senior Advisers in our team have the opportunity to design and lead projects and to support our Advisers to grow their policy craft.  We are looking for a policy professional with several years’ experience as a Senior Adviser.

About the branch - Workplace Relations and Safety Policy

Our branch leads the Government’s work on how work is regulated in New Zealand. Our policy advice directly impacts people’s everyday lives — from minimum wage and employment standards to parental leave, migrant exploitation, health and safety, and ACC settings.

We operate as a team rather than a hierarchy. You’ll have real responsibility and regular opportunities to engage directly with Ministers and senior stakeholders.
You’ll be part of a group of smart, committed policy professionals, working on issues that attract significant attention and require thoughtful, high-quality advice. The breadth of our work offers strong development opportunities and the chance to build experience across a wide range of policy areas.

We also work closely with our operational partners, giving you exposure to how policy translates into real-world implementation.

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

Who we are looking for

We’re looking for people with at least 3 years’ experience in central government policy, who enjoys tackling complex problems and delivering high-quality advice.

You’ll bring:

• Experience developing policy advice in a government context
• Strong analytical thinking and sound judgement
• The ability to build relationships and influence a wide range of stakeholders
• Experience working with Ministers, senior officials, and partners

Ideally, you will also:

• Have experience in regulatory policy and/or a law background
• Understand Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in public policy
• Have a good grasp of economic principles and the New Zealand context
• Be comfortable leading pieces of work and navigating ambiguity
• Enjoy supporting others to grow and develop their policy skills

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 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 Dorinda Te Kiri at dorinda.tekiri@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19765 if you have any further questions.

Applications close 12July 2026