Graduate Environmental Policy Advisor

Mercury NZ; Hamilton; Hybrid; NZD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional 5 days leave per annum (MyD

$400 tax-free home office payment

25% off Mercury energy/telco

Employee Share Scheme: $1,000 Mercury‑

Flexible working policy

Well-being programme

Parental leave policy with option to購入

Job summary

Mercury NZ is seeking a Graduate Environmental Policy Advisor to help anticipate, understand and respond to policy and planning changes that influence New Zealand’s energy and sustainability landscape.

You’ll join the Environmental Policy & Sustainability team, turning technical input into clear analysis and practical action. The role offers growth, mentorship, and exposure to policy development and regulatory changes that shape our low‑carbon future.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in environmental policy, planning, sustainability, or law.
• Strong written and spoken communication, with the ability to translate technical information for diverse audiences.
• Ability to connect big-picture policy work with detailed project tasks.

Responsibilities

• Monitor government proposals and national directions affecting Mercury and planning.
• Research issues, weigh evidence, and draft concise briefs and recommendations.
• Draft submissions and provide support for meetings, workshops and hearings.
• Contribute to sustainability initiatives, including strategy, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Maintain policy trackers and calendars to keep deadlines visible and managed.

Skills

Curiosity

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Collaboration

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in environmental policy or related field

Job description

He whakahaere aronga-anamata a Mercury, e tuku ana i te pūngao me ngā whitimamao ki te mahi a tangata o Aotearoa, ā, he nui ake i tā ētahi atu. Waihoki, e para ana i te huarahi mā te pūngao whakahou me te whai i tētahi anamata toitū. Kei te iho ko tō mātou koronga. Tiakina te anamata, mā te tūhono i ngā tāngata me ngā wāhi o te inamata. He āki tēnei i a tātou ki te whakapau kaha kia hua ake ai he anamata pai ake mō ō tātou tāngata, mō ō tātou hapori, me Aotearoa.

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.

Tā mātou arawātea | Our Opportunity

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

Mōu | About you

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.

He aha te pai o te hono mai? | Why join us?

• 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.

E koekoe te tūī, e ketekete te kākā, e kūkū te kererū

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

At Mercury, we believe different backgrounds, experiences and capabilities make us stronger.

The full position description is available below. Applications close at 19th November 2026. We may review applications, begin interviews and close the advertisement before this date.