Policy Advisor | Tourism Stewardship and Systems

New Zealand Ministry Of Economic Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 75,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

MBIE in Wellington is seeking a Policy Advisor to influence tourism policy, including funding, visitor infrastructure and IVL levy implementation. You will develop evidence-based advice for government decision‑makers and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders across the tourism system.

The role offers a fixed-term secondment through October 2027, with opportunities to work across government, engage with Ministers, and contribute to the National Tourism Policy Statement and regional

Qualifications

• Experience in policy, strategy, advisory, economics, planning or similar analytical role.
• Experience in central government policy is advantageous but not critical.

Responsibilities

• Advise on tourism policy challenges, including funding and infrastructure.
• Provide ministerial and cross‑government guidance on policy options.
• Engage stakeholders across government and industry to inform decisions.
• Contribute to shaping the National Tourism Policy Statement implementation.

Skills

Policy analysis

Strategic thinking

Advisory experience

Economics

Planning

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Job description

Policy Advisor | Tourism Stewardship and Systems

Date: 18 Sept 2026

Location: Wellington, NZ, 6011

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Contribute to shaping the future of New Zealand tourism, supporting work that drives sustainable growth and benefits communities across Aotearoa.
• Develop your policy expertise by working on complex and high‑profile issues, providing advice that helps inform government decisions.
• Build relationships across government and industry, collaborating with stakeholders to support investment, infrastructure, and long‑term tourism outcomes.
• Fixed term |Secondment opportunity to October 2027 | Wellington CBD location
• Salary range: $75,114 - $93,724 + Kiwisaver

Tourism is a vital pillar of New Zealand’s economy, as our second largest export earner and supporting over 6.8% of total employment. With $46.6 billion in total tourism expenditure in the year ending March 2025, the sector plays a key role in New Zealand’s regional development, international engagement, and sustainable growth.

The Government has set an ambitious goal to double the value of tourism exports by 2034 and has developed a National Tourism Policy Statement to support this goal. As a Policy Advisor in this space, you will contribute to advice on some of New Zealand's most significant tourism policy challenges, including sustainable tourism funding, visitor‑related infrastructure, stewardship of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), and implementation of the Government's National Tourism Policy Statement.

You’ll have opportunities to contribute to Ministerial advice, work across government and engage with stakeholders from across New Zealand's tourism system. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to grow their policy career through exposure to Ministers, complex cross‑government and sector work, and engagement with senior leaders across the tourism system.

About the team

In the Tourism Stewardship and Systems team, we develop a deep understanding of the costs and benefits of tourism in New Zealand. We think strategically about the role of Government in supporting the growth of tourism in New Zealand and how the horizontal system settings – including funding and infrastructure – should be set up to support our long‑term goals. We use a wide spectrum of policy levers including coordinating and influencing, funding and regulatory change. One

Our advice directly informs decisions on tourism system investments, funding settings and policy interventions that shape visitor experiences, community outcomes and the long‑term success of New Zealand tourism.

We are a collaborative and supportive team that values curiosity, initiative and fresh thinking. We work together on complex issues, share ideas openly and actively support each other's development.

This role sits in the Tourism and Hospitality Branch, within the Labour Science and Enterprise Group of MBIE. Our work drives Aotearoa’s economic transformation and shapes economic development thinking to create a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive economy. In an ambiguous and complex environment, we work in partnership to actively provide respected and frank advice, to influence and coordinate, and deliver policy solutions that work.

Why work for us?

Developing our policy staff is a key focus for MBIE. We have a culture where policy staff are empowered to bring fresh perspectives to issues and to think ‘outside the box’. Being the largest ‘policy shop’ in New Zealand, MBIE offers significant opportunity for developing experience across a broad variety of areas. We encourage excellence and proactively support development through on‑the‑job learning, training courses, conferences and seminars, development programmes, secondments, rotations to other branches and study opportunities.

Skills and Experience Required - Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana

We welcome applicants with experience in policy, strategy, advisory, economics, consulting, regulation, planning or other analytical roles where you've worked through complex problems and influenced decisions.

Experience in central government policy is advantageous but not critical for consideration. We’d like to hear from you if you:

• Bring experience in policy, strategy, advisory, economics, planning or a similar analytical role.
• Enjoy analysing complex issues and using evidence to develop clear and practical recommendations.
• Can navigate ambiguity and break complicated problems into manageable pieces
• Build strong working relationships and enjoy collaborating with a diverse range of people.
• Communicate clearly and confidently with different audiences.
• Can effectively plan and coordinate your work to deliver high‑quality outputs.
• Are curious, adaptable and motivated to learn and grow.
• At time of application you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high‑performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Māia– Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under TeTiritio Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to TeTiritio Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross‑cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.