Graduate Environmental Policy Advisor

Mercury; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 extra days of annual leave (MyDays)

$400 tax-free home-office setup

25% off energy, broadband & mobile for

Mercury Employee Share Scheme: $1,000/

Job summary

Mercury seeks a Graduate Environmental Policy Advisor to help anticipate, understand and respond to policy, planning and sustainability change, supporting renewable energy and a low-carbon future. You will turn technical input into clear analysis and practical action, with growth built in as your capability expands.

You’ll be supported by senior team members in the Environmental Policy & Sustainability group, with opportunities to engage in submissions, consultations and stakeholder workshops

Qualifications

• Fresh out of university, or up to three years’ post-study experience. Summer internships count.
• Ability to connect issues across policies and see how pieces fit into a wider programme.
• Think at a high level but can work through detail and follow through on tasks.
• Strong critical thinking and analysis using qualitative and quantitative evidence.
• Clear, plain-language writing and communication with stakeholders.
• Curiosity, initiative and willingness to learn and act on feedback.
• Collaborative mindset and respect for diverse perspectives.
• Interest in the energy sector and NZ planning/policy environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor central and local government proposals, legislation, national direction and plans relevant to Mercury.
• Research issues, weigh evidence, and prepare concise briefings and recommendations.
• Draft submissions, consultation feedback and presentations; support meetings, workshops and hearings.
• Contribute to sustainability initiatives including strategy, action planning, reporting and supplier engagement.
• Maintain policy trackers, calendars and records to keep deadlines visible and managed.
• Build strong working relationships across Mercury and engage with government agencies and stakeholders.
• Take ownership of defined tasks and workstreams as capability grows.

Skills

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Public policy research

Big-picture thinking

Education

Environmental policy / planning / resource management / law / sustainability

Job description

Mercury is a bold future-focused organisation, providing energy and telecommunications to more Kiwis than anyone else, leading the way with renewable energy and working toward a sustainable future. At the heart is our purpose. Taking care of tomorrow: connecting people and place today. This pushes us to do all we can to create a better future for our people, our communities, and Aotearoa New Zealand.

New Zealand’s planning and environmental settings are changing, and Mercury needs to be ready. As our Graduate Environmental Policy Advisor, you’ll help us anticipate, understand and respond to policy, planning and sustainability change, including the new planning and resource management systems.

You’ll join the Environmental Policy & Sustainability team, turning technical and stakeholder input into clear analysis, advice and practical action. Your work will support our advocacy and sustainability programmes, contributing to reliable renewable energy, a low-carbon future and long-term value.

This is a role built for growth. You’ll get support, feedback and direction from senior team members, and your scope and ownership will grow as your capability does.

Mō te tūranga | About the role:

• Monitoring central and local government proposals, legislation, national direction and plans that matter to Mercury
• Researching issues, weighing up the evidence, and preparing concise briefings and recommendations
• Drafting submissions, consultation feedback and presentations, and supporting our participation in meetings, workshops and hearings
• Contributing to sustainability initiatives, which may include strategy and action planning, materiality, annual reporting, supplier engagement, and climate and nature-related work
• Keeping our policy trackers, consultation calendars and records up to date so issues and deadlines stay visible and well managed
• Building strong working relationships across Mercury and supporting engagement with government agencies, councils, industry organisations and other stakeholders
• Taking ownership of defined tasks and workstreams as your confidence and independence grow

Curiosity, potential and a willingness to learn matter as much as experience. If you don’t tick every box, we’d still like to hear from you.

• A relevant tertiary qualification (e.g. environmental policy, planning, resource management, law, sustainability, or a related field)
• Fresh out of university, or up to three years’ post-study experience. Summer internships count.
• Systems and big-picture thinking: you can make connections across issues, spot opportunities and see how pieces of work fit into a wider programme
• The ability to think at a high level and still work through the detail
• Project management thinking: you break work into logical steps, juggle competing tasks, meet deadlines and raise risks early
• Strong critical thinking and analysis, with the ability to find, test and use qualitative and quantitative evidence
• Clear, plain-language writing and communication
• Curiosity, initiative and a willingness to have a go, ask questions and act on feedback
• A collaborative approach and respect for diverse perspectives
• An interest in the energy sector and New Zealand’s planning and policy environment (you don’t need to be an expert)

Please note: The start date for this role will be in January/ February 2027.

• Additional 5 days leave per annum (MyDays)
• $400 one off tax-free payment towards setting up your home office
• Offers on electricity and telco - if you're a Mercury customer, you can enjoy 25% off eligible energy, broadband and mobile charges
• Join the Employee Share Scheme where you receive $1,000 of Mercury shares annually with a 3-year period of restriction
• A diverse workplace where your unique abilities and talents will be recognised and encouraged
• Annual salary reviews with excellent parental leave policy, with the option to purchase additional leave
• The opportunities, career paths and facilities associated with working for one of New Zealand's largest multi-utility providers
• Flexible working policy - The autonomy and trust to work flexibly from our purpose-built premises and from home, recognising the value of this flexibility in the modern world
• Discounted health insurance and free life and income insurance
• Excellent well-being programme including up to $100 annual check ups and confidential assistance programme
• Gender affirmation leave and supportive bereavement leave to be taken when you lose anyone close to you, including your pet

Mercury is a learning organisation that is committed to providing you with opportunities to grow and develop that will benefit you now and in the future. Part of your role includes building your skillset and mindset through a variety of ways. We believe this creates an energised, innovative and agile work environment where you will feel valued.

Every voice has its place – and together, we thrive.

Applications close at 19th November 2026.

Closing 19 Nov 2026 17:00

Location(s) Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga

Expertise Environmental, Legal, Regulatory, Sustainability