Principal Solicitor

Archives; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 148,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Internal Affairs seeks a Principal Solicitor to act as a trusted senior adviser across two legal teams. You will support regulators, oversee regulatory work, and guide strategic risk management while mentoring colleagues to strengthen the Legal Team.

You will identify emerging risks, provide practical guidance, and build capability across the organisation, thriving in a fast-paced environment with high-stakes matters.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years PQE.
• Senior-level legal experience with sound judgement on high-risk matters.
• Strong regulatory and public law expertise.
• Ability to move between portfolios and grasp unfamiliar issues quickly.
• Working under urgency, sensitivity or ambiguity.
• Excellent communication and relationship management.
• Mentoring and coaching of other senior lawyers.
• Interest in Māori/Crown relations and Te Tiriti o Waitangi is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior advisory across Te Tari Taiwhenua's two legal teams.
• Support Legal Managers in overseeing regulatory work and risk.
• Identify priorities, provide strategic guidance, and shape advice.
• Mentor colleagues and build capability across the Legal Team.

Skills

Regulatory & public law

Senior advisory

Te Tiriti o Waitangi knowledge

Communication skills

Leadership & mentoring

Portfolio switch capability

Education

Barrister and Solicitor NZ

Job description

About Us | Mō mātou

The legal mahi at Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs spans so many areas, for example gambling regulation (including online gambling), anti-money laundering, digital identity, charities, National Library and Archives, life events (births, deaths, marriages and civil unions), citizenships, ministerial services, and inquiry support to name a few.

The role | Tetūnga

As Principal Solicitor, you will be a trusted senior adviser deployed where your expertise is most needed. Working across Te Tari's two legal teams, you will support the Legal Managers oversee the team’s regulatory work and legal risk, as well as look for ways to improve how the team works across our regulatory frameworks.

The mahi spans across Te Tari Taiwhenua’s diverse portfolio. You may focus on working in a particular area, lead a special project, take care of a sensitive or complex matter, provide senior capacity during an urgent response, or support another lawyer to deliver high-quality advice.

You will help identify priorities and emerging risks, provide strategic and practical guidance, review or shape advice, mentor colleagues, and build legal capability across the organisation.

The work involves regulatory compliance and enforcement and providing strategic advice in relation to litigation. You will build trusted relationships across Te Tari Taiwhenua, Crown Law, and external advisers, while contributing to capability and continuous improvement across the Legal Team.

This role suits an experienced, adaptable lawyer who enjoys variety, works well at pace and helps others deliver excellent work.

What you bring | Nōu te rourou

• A minimum of 7 years PQE
• Proven senior-level legal experience and sound judgement on complex or high-risk matters
• Strong regulatory and public law expertise
• The agility to move between portfolios and quickly understand unfamiliar issues
• Working effectively under urgency, sensitivity or ambiguity
• The ability to identify emerging risks, support managerial oversight, and elevate issues while providing options for moving forward
• Excellent communication, relationship management and influencing skills
• A collaborative leadership style with experience mentoring, coaching and supporting other senior lawyers;
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Treaty of Waitangi is important to the legal team’s work, so an interest in Māori/ Crown relations and the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi is desirable
• Qualification as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, with a current practising certificate or eligibility to obtain one

For you | Mōu

At the Department of Internal Affairs, we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice, while being able to set and achieve goals and being encouraged to challenge the status quo.

To learn more about the diverse, important mahi we do at the Department and see whywe'rea great placeto work check out our website https://www.dia.govt.nz/

Benefits - About Internal Affairs - Careers with us - Benefits - dia.govt.nz

The appointing range for this role is$148,320 - $184,576.

Applications for this role close 5:00pm, 23 October 2026. Please also note that you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

If you have any questions, please email Tania Nedelcheva–Pearson - [e-mail].