Government Engagement Programme Manager

Dairynz; Wellington; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

DairyNZ is seeking a Government Engagement Programme Manager in Wellington. The role involves strengthening engagement with government, coordinating advocacy priorities and supporting policy and government relations workstreams.

Regular travel across New Zealand is required, with a fixed-term 18 months. You will lead regional MP engagement, build stakeholder networks, plan farm visits, monitor policy developments, provide political intelligence, and help prepare briefing materials and briefings

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in government, parliamentary, public affairs or politically sensitive stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of New Zealand’s parliamentary and local government environments.
• Knowledge of policy and legislative processes and non-partisan engagement.
• Experience designing and independently delivering complex engagement programmes.
• Strong political judgement, discretion and relationship-management skills.
• Excellent research, analysis, written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead DairyNZ's regional MP engagement programme.
• Build and maintain relationships with MPs, parliamentary staff and key stakeholders.
• Plan and coordinate farm visits, briefings and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Monitor political and policy developments relevant to New Zealand dairy farming.
• Provide political intelligence, analysis and recommendations.
• Prepare briefings, correspondence and meeting materials.
• Support advocacy initiatives and government engagement workstreams.
• Establish and deliver a local government engagement programme.
• Maintain engagement plans, relationship information and action tracking.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Policy understanding

Relationship building

Research and analysis

Written communication

Verbal communication

Travel flexibility

Job description

Government Engagement Programme Manager

Wellington, with regular domestic travel

Fixed term, 18 months

Fulltime

DairyNZ’s story

Deliver a positive future for New Zealand dairy farming

Te whakaputa i te anamata kounga mō ngā pāmu kau o Aotearoa

We are full of people who have a passion for delivering great outcomes and creating positive change for dairy farmers. We leverage our collective strength by bringing the dairy sector together, helping farmers build more sustainable, profitable, and resilient farm businesses; because a strong dairy sector means a strong?New Zealand.

Your opportunity

Based in Wellington, this position is an essential part of our Policy & Government Relations team, reporting to the Government Relations Manager. You will play a key role in strengthening DairyNZ's engagement with government and supporting positive outcomes for New Zealand dairy farmers. Working closely with policy, regional and subject matter experts across DairyNZ, you'll help build and maintain strong relationships with decision‑makers, provide political insights, and coordinate engagement activities that support our advocacy priorities.

Reporting to the Government Relations Manager, you will support the Policy & Government Relations team, including:

• Leading DairyNZ's regional MP engagement programme
• Building and maintaining relationships with MPs, parliamentary staff and key stakeholders
• Planning and coordinating farm visits, briefings and stakeholder engagement activities
• Monitoring political and policy developments relevant to New Zealand dairy farming
• Providing political intelligence, analysis and recommendations
• Preparing briefings, correspondence and meeting materials
• Supporting advocacy initiatives and government engagement workstreams
• Establishing and delivering a local government engagement programme
• Maintaining engagement plans, relationship information and action tracking

About you

You’ll be a politically astute and confident relationship‑builder who can work effectively with people from a range of backgrounds and viewpoints. You’ll bring sound judgement, discretion and the ability to turn complex political and technical information into clear advice and practical engagement.

You’ll be comfortable taking ownership of significant workstreams while recognising when sensitive or high‑risk matters need to be escalated. You’ll also bring a collaborative approach and enjoy working across teams to deliver positive outcomes.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Substantial experience in government, parliamentary, public affairs or politically sensitive stakeholder engagement
• A strong understanding of New Zealand’s parliamentary and local government environments
• Knowledge of policy and legislative processes and non‑partisan engagement
• Experience designing and independently delivering complex engagement programmes
• Strong political judgement, discretion and relationship‑management skills
• Excellent research, analysis, written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to turn technical evidence and political intelligence into clear briefings and practical advice
• Confidence working independently, coordinating others and managing competing priorities
• The ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout New Zealand and attend occasional early‑morning or evening engagements

Why you should join us

Make a difference - Together with our farmers, help us drive positive progress for the sector and country we love. Our credible work supports a sustainable future for farmers, the environment and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Bring the whole you?- We put people at the heart of what we do. We welcome all that you are and support your wellbeing, so you thrive personally and professionally.

Join a vibrant culture - Be part of a team that truly believes in our values. We have the courage to take bold action and the curiosity to drive innovation. Our credibility shines in our evidence‑based work and our connectedness builds meaningful, collaborative relationships.

Empowering you - We succeed when you do, which is why we champion the development and growth of our people. We empower you to do and be at your best through learning opportunities and great benefits.

Sound good to you? Come join our team who together, are making a difference.

Applications close Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 10.00pm. Shortlisting and interviews may begin before the closing date.

Please note: You must currently reside in New Zealand to apply for this position.