Principal Policy Advisor

Ministry of Justice - New Zealand; Wellington; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

flexible work hours where possible

online professional development portal

inclusive networks

Job summary

Ministry of Justice - New Zealand seeks a Principal Policy Adviser in Wellington for a fixed-term role to 30 March 2027. The role sits in the Access to Justice Policy team, shaping policy, law reform, and governance across government.

You will lead major policy projects, coach advisors, and manage stakeholder engagement to support decisions. The successful candidate will bring a relevant tertiary qualification, strong policy and legislative analysis skills, and a track record of applying

Qualifications

• Experience leading significant policy projects.
• Extensive knowledge of machinery of government and public policy.
• Ability to think critically, test analyses and anticipate risks.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead scoping, planning and analysis of policy, legislative and operational implications of proposed law reform.
• Coordinate and coach advisors and senior advisors across projects.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders to incorporate diverse perspectives.
• Present complex issues clearly and influence decision-makers.

Skills

Leadership

Advisory skills

Relationship skills

Communication skills

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Job Description

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. Success is not the work of one, but the work of many.

Principal Policy Adviser - Wellington

Fixed term to 30 March 2027

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

We have a fixed-term opportunity in the Access to Justice Policy team in the Policy Group at the Ministry of Justice, until 30 March 2027. Work in the Justice Policy Group includes opportunities to shape thinking and drive legislative change across the justice sector and all of government. Our work is interesting and challenging, with a chance to apply your critical thinking and relationship management skills. The role will include scoping, planning and analysis of the policy, legislative and operational implications of proposed law reform.

Ō Pūkenga/Skills And Experience

If you have policy experience and are a thoughtful problem solver and you work well as part of a team, then we want to hear from you.

We Are Looking For

• Leadership skills – Experience in leading others in significant policy projects, and applying a coaching approach to enhance the capability of advisors and senior advisors
• Advisory skills – Extensive knowledge of machinery of government and public policy, and the ability to think critically and anticipate risks and test analyses
• Relationship skills – Strong skills in engaging diverse internal and external stakeholders, and incorporating their perspectives
• Communication skills – Excellent written and oral communication skills – in particular, the ability to present complex issues in an accessible way, ask questions to improve understanding, and influence decision-makers

We will support your well-being and professional development, empower you to coach others, and be coached by experienced policy professionals, and provide opportunities to work on a broad range of important and challenging policy problems.

The successful candidate will have a relevant tertiary qualification, knowledge, skills, and experience. Experience with the legislative process is an advantage but is not essential. Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi analysis skills are highly desirable.

Applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand. This role is based at National Office in Wellington, so we are not able to consider applications for full-time remote work. We are, however, open to discussing flexible working options that work for both you and the business.

Mō Mātou/About Us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here

Benefits

• flexible work hours where possible
• an online professional development portal
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here.

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career

Utu ā-tau/Salary

The appointing salary for this role will be between $130,129 to $168,062 pro rata based on skills and experience.

Applications close on 25 September 2026. We may review CVs as they come in and invite successful candidates to interview before the close date.

If you have any questions, please contact [e-mail]