Senior Policy Advisor | Building Performance & Resilience Policy

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Opportunity for an experienced Senior Policy Advisor, working in a fast-paced policy environment to lift the efficiency and effectiveness of the building regulatory system.
• Join a talented and supportive team to solve complex policy problems to transform the building and construction sector.
• Full time, Permanent role, Wellington-based.
• Salary range: $110,098 to $138,028 plus KiwiSaver and wellness benefits.

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

The building sector is crucial to New Zealand’s economy, contributing more than 6 percent of GDP and employing over 250,000 people. A well-functioning building sector positively impacts health, productivity, and wellbeing. 
MBIE is the overarching regulator of New Zealand’s building system, providing policy and technical advice, and implementing legislation and regulations to meet current and future needs.

An exciting permanent Senior Policy Advisor opportunity is available in our Building Performance and Resilience policy team, within the award-winning Building System Performance branch.

 
We have an ambitious regulatory policy programme in 2026, which is at the heart of the Government’s plans to increase the supply of housing that is affordable and remove unnecessary regulatory compliance costs to building work, while ensuring buildings are safe, healthy, and durable.

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will:

• Work in a fast-paced regulatory policy environment to provide high-quality policy advice that aims to lift outcomes and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the building sector.  
• Lead complex policy projects with a view to developing strategic, system-focused solutions
• Build, maintain and lead effective healthy working relationships with government and non-government stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively in a friendly, helpful and supportive team which values your development and delivers excellence for the New Zealand public.
• Coach, mentor and develop team members to enhance the overall capability of the branch.  

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

We are looking for a talented Senior Policy Advisor with regulatory and legislative policy expertise who has:

• Strong understanding of, and experience in, the policy process, machinery of government, and parliamentary processes and procedures.
• Advanced critical thinking and data analysis skills, with experience in applying these to solve complex policy problems and deliver high-quality, well written advice to Ministers.
• Acumen in appropriately considering the wider political, economic and strategic policy context.
• The ability to apply policy frameworks to both account for, and navigate through, ambiguity.
• Strong relationship management skills with proven talent in leading and navigating relationships with government and non-government stakeholders.
• Robust project management discipline, preferably with experience in leading and co-ordinating policy projects.
• A relevant tertiary qualification.
• 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 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 Danielle Plane at Danielle.Plane2@mbie.govt.nz if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 1 February 2026 (midnight)