Communications Manager

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 122,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Government’s Outdoor Access Commission, Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, is seeking a communications leader in Wellington. You’ll own all channels—from website to media—driving a clear, plain-English voice for a Crown agency that advocates for outdoor access.

You’ll bring several years in communications, strong writing, and the ability to advise senior leaders while managing digital tools and analytics. A public sector background is preferred.

Qualifications

• Several years in communications, ideally with public sector or Crown agency experience.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Experience coordinating or leading others, with a hands-on attitude.
• Sound judgement with sensitive information; ability to advise senior leaders.
• Understanding of how government operates in New Zealand; developing mauri understanding.
• Comfort with digital tools, social media, and web analytics.
• Proactive, self-motivated with good time management.

Responsibilities

• Run the full communications spectrum: website, media, newsletters, social channels, and corporate documents.
• Lead day-to-day communications, ensuring messaging is strategic, effective, and consistent.
• Write clearly for various formats: website, newsletters, speeches, reports, and statements of intent.
• Be the first point of contact for media; handle routine inquiries and issue releases.
• Monitor political and media landscape and advise on potential implications.
• Maintain budgets, files, image library, and promotional materials.

Skills

Communications experience

Writing & editing

Team leadership

Public sector experience

Government operations

Mauri principles

Digital tools & analytics

Initiative & self-management

Job description

Wellington | Full-time, permanent Starting salary range: $122,000-$130,000

Make the great outdoors easier to enjoy Every New Zealander should be able to walk, ride or paddle their way into the outdoors. The Outdoor Access Commission, Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, helps make that happen. We're the Crown agency that advocates for free, certain, enduring and practical access to the outdoors. We're a small team: 12 full-time staff in Wellington and 11 part-time field advisors across the country. We'd like you to help tell our story.

What you'll do

• You get to run the whole show: website, media, newsletters, social media, corporate documents…
• Turn strategy into action. You'll lead our day-to-day communications and keep our messages and branding strategic, effective and consistent.
• Write things people want to read. Our website, newsletters, social media, speeches, briefings, annual reports and the Statement of Intent all need a clear, plain-English voice. That voice is yours.
• Be the first call for media. You'll handle routine enquiries, write releases and flag anything sensitive to the chief executive early.
• Keep an eye on the horizon. You'll watch the political, cultural and media landscape and tell us what's coming.
• Look after the details. You'll keep the communications budget, the files, the image library and our promotional material in good order.

What you'll bring

• Several years in communications, ideally with some public sector or Crown agency experience.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Some experience coordinating or leading others, and a ‘muck-in' attitude.
• Sound judgement with sensitive information, a pride in the public sector, and the ability to advise senior leaders when things get tricky.
• A working understanding of how government operates in New Zealand.
• A developing understanding of the principles of mauri.
• Comfort with digital tools, social media and web analytics.
• Initiative and self-management.

The job comes with freedom based on trust. That trust is founded on an expectation of self-motivation and self-management.

Bonus points for

• A genuine love of the outdoors
• Accessible web content know-how
• Design, photography or video skills
• Journalism or broadcast media experience

Why join us

You'll work on something New Zealanders care about, in a small team where you have your hands on all aspects of communications. You'll have a direct line to the chief executive. If you can explain a complex issue in a few clear sentences and you like a good tramp, we'd like to hear from you.