Democracy Advisor

Waikato Regional Council; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Waikato Regional Council is seeking a governance advisor to provide trusted governance and legislative advice to elected members and staff. You will support decision-making through high-quality processes and prepare agendas, minutes, governance reports and policy documents.

You will coordinate and support statutory and resource management hearings, contribute to electoral processes and governance training, and work closely with councillors, iwi partners, senior leaders and community stakeholders.

Qualifications

• A bachelor-level qualification or equivalent experience.
• Three to five years' relevant professional experience.
• Experience providing advice, interpreting legislation or managing complex processes.
• Strong written communication and relationship management skills.
• Experience in local government, governance, democracy services or public sector advisory roles would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide trusted governance and legislative advice to elected members and staff.
• Support Council and committee decision-making through high-quality governance processes.
• Prepare and review agendas, minutes, governance reports and policy documents.
• Coordinate and support statutory and resource management hearings.
• Contribute to electoral processes, governance training and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with councillors, iwi partners, senior leaders and community stakeholders.

Skills

Relationship management

Verbal and written communication

Organisation and prioritisation

Judgement and confidentiality

Governance knowledge

Education

Bachelor-level qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Mŋ te tūrang | About the role

• Provide trusted governance and legislative advice to elected members and staff.
• Support Council and committee decision-making through high-quality governance processes.
• Prepare and review agendas, minutes, governance reports and policy documents.
• Coordinate and support statutory and resource management hearings.
• Contribute to electoral processes, governance training and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with councillors, iwi partners, senior leaders and community stakeholders.

Mŋ te tangata | About you

• Thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to develop trust across a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Highly organised, adaptable and able to manage competing priorities effectively.
• You exercise sound judgement and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive matters.
• You have an interest in governance, democratic processes and public sector decision-making.

Mŋ ngā poukenga | Qualifications and experience

• A bachelor-level qualification or equivalent experience.
• Three to five years' relevant professional experience.
• Experience providing advice, interpreting legislation or managing complex processes.
• Strong written communication and relationship management skills.
• Experience in local government, governance, democracy services or public sector advisory roles would be advantageous.

Mŋ te tīa | About the team

• Join a small, high-performing team that supports the governance and democratic processes of Waikato Regional Council.
• Work alongside experienced governance professionals committed to transparency, good decision-making and continuous improvement.

Mŋ mĊuth | About us

• We work hard to care for the mighty Waikato, so current and future generations will benefit from a healthy environment, strong economy, and vibrant communities.
• Our mahi is as diverse as the region we care for and the people who share it. Our work helps look after our region’s water, soil, air, geothermal areas and coasts - so we can all enjoy these precious resources for generations to come.
• Customers sit at the heart of everything we do, and all staff have an important role to play in the delivery of exceptional customer service.
• By partnering with iwi and working with many others in our communities, our collective kaitiakitanga will make the Waikato region even better.
• Together, we’ll create a sustainable future that will make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and this role will close on Sunday 4 October 2026.