Principal Policy Advisor - Legislation and Regulatory Policy

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Paraparaumu; On-site; NZD 138,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Wellbeing support

Competitive salaries and development

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki–Ministry for Children is seeking a Principal Policy Advisor to lead and contribute to significant legislative and regulatory changes in Wellington. The role offers a permanent, full-time position with flexible work options and a strong focus on wellbeing.

You will bring extensive experience in policy development, deep knowledge of legislative processes, and the ability to build influential relationships across Māori, Pacific and disability communities to shape evidence-based

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading the development of complex policy advice, particularly in a legislative or regulatory context.
• Deep knowledge of legislative and machinery of government processes is essential.
• Expert analytical, critical policy thinking and communication skills and ability to produce quality policy work quickly.
• Build genuine and enduring relationships with influence in multiple settings to advance the policy agenda.
• Lead and coach others, while being a compassionate and collaborative team member.
• Understanding the circumstances and issues facing Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled and other key populations we work with.
• Be enthusiastic with a can-do attitude.
• Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Wellington-based at the National Office

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to significant, complex legislative and regulatory change.
• Policy work across youth justice and care and protection systems.
• Collaborate with partners to shape evidence-based policy and translate insights into policy decisions.
• Provide strategic policy advice to senior leaders and frontline teams.

Skills

Policy development

Legislative processes

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership coaching

Māori & Pacific understanding

Can-do attitude

Education

Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline

Job description

Principal Policy Advisor - Legislative and Regulatory

• Lead and contribute to significant, complex legislative and regulatory change
• Exercise your policy skills working on gnarly issues that matter for children and young people
• Work in a vibrant and supportive team, with flexible work options and a genuine commitment to your wellbeing
• Permanent, full time opportunity based in Wellington

Please note: Due to the upcoming holiday period, we anticipate that the successful candidate will commence in the role in late January 2027, subject to notice periods and onboarding arrangements.

MŇ te tūrŇ | About the role

Policy work at Oranga Tamariki is wide and varied, giving you ample opportunity to develop your career pathway and demonstrate your policy craft. We are the only policy group within a large operational organisation, which gives you greater exposure to a wide range of work that has a major impact on the frontline. Our policy group spans operational, system enabling policy, legislative and regulatory policy, and strategic, cross-government policy programmes.

We have an ambitious legislative and policy work programme across the youth justice and care and protection system.

Collaboration is central to who we are. We listen to children, young people, families, and whānau, and work with key partners, including Māori, Pacific and disability communities, to shape evidence-based, impactful policy. We work closely with our data and insights teams and those working on the frontline, so your advice is steeped in realism. Great teamwork is how we operate.

MŇ mātū | About us

Oranga Tamariki–Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

• We put Tamariki first
• We believe Aroha is vital
• We respect the Mana of people
• We are Tika and Pono
• We value Whakapapa
• We recognise that Oranga is a journey

We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapūu, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.

Ngā pūmaŇaŇ ŇŇ | What you will bring

• Extensive experience leading the development of complex policy advice, particularly in a legislative or regulatory context
• A deep knowledge of legislative and machinery of government processes is essential
• Expert analytical, critical policy thinking and communication skills and ability to produce quality policy work quickly
• Build genuine and enduring relationships with influence in multiple settings to advance the policy agenda
• Lead and coach others, while being a compassionate and collaborative team member
• Understanding the circumstances and issues facing Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled and other key populations we work with
• Be enthusiastic with a canā-do attitude
• Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline
• Wellington-based at the National Office

NŇā te rourou | What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offers competitive salaries and progression annually for experience through tenure. The midpoint of this salary band is $162,887. We work flexibly and have genuine support for wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and work respectfully. This is your opportunity to apply your skills to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.

Applications for this role close just before midnight on Sunday 22 November 2026. We may begin reviewing applications and inviting candidates to interview prior to the closing date, so early applications are encouraged.

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.