Principal Solicitor

Nz Ministry Of Justice; Wellington; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4.4 weeks holiday

Flexible work hours

Online professional development portal

Inclusive networks

Job summary

Nz Ministry Of Justice in Wellington is seeking a Principal Solicitor to provide strategic legal advice on public law, Treaty settlements and Takutai Moana matters. You will work across policy, legislation, litigation and advisory work, leading a team and mentoring junior solicitors.

You will have at least 10 years of post-qualification experience, a strong background in public law and Treaty issues, and a commitment to te ao Māori.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years' post-qualification legal experience.
• Strong experience in public law, Treaty-related matters and litigation.
• Proven ability to provide strategic, high-quality legal advice.
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills.
• A commitment to developing cultural capability and understanding of te ao Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on complex public law, Treaty settlements and Takutai Moana matters.
• Work across policy, legislative, operational, and litigation issues.
• Mentor solicitors and contribute to team capability and success.
• Report to senior leaders and collaborate with Te Tari Whakatau, Crown Law Office and Parliamentary Counsel Office.
• Support Māori-Crown relations through settlements, Takutai Moana determinations and guidance

Skills

Public law experience

Treaty matters

Litigation experience

Strategic advice

Relationship management

Te ao Māori understanding

Job description

Principal Solicitor

Roia Aporei Te Tari Whakatau | Te Tari o ngā Whakataunga Tiriti me te Takutai MoanaTe Whanganui-a-Tara Te Haeata E kimihia ana he tāngata ngākau whiwhita mō te orangatonutanga o te hono a te Karauna ki te Māori. He uaua, he taumaha hoki ā mātou mahi. He whāinga tiketike hoki ā mātou. Ko tāu hei Roia Aporei, he tuku kupu hautū mō ngā ture tūmatanui, mō ngā whakataunga Tiriti me ngā take Takutai Moana. Ka pā ō mahi ki ngā wāhanga kaupapa here, kaupapa ā-ture, kaupapa ā-tari, kaupapa ā-kōti, me te tautoko i ngā take kaupapa ā-kōti whakamanea, me te hāpai i ngā mōtika me ngā aronga a te Māori i roto i te horopaki whakataunga Tiriti, Takutai Moana anō hoki. Ka mahi ngātahi koe me ngā upoko o Te Tari Whakatau me Te Tari Tohutohu Pāremata, hei hautū i ngā tini take manganga, take hou anō hoki. He mana motuhake hoki tōu hei ārahi i ētahi rōia e rongo ai te katoa i ngā hua o angitū. Ka tuku rīpoata koe ki te Mātanga Kaitohutohu Ture, ko ia hei mana hautū mōu, ā, hei ara tēnei e taea ai e koe te tuku ō pūkenga ki te āwhina i ngā whakataunga Tiriti, i ngā whakataunga Takutai Moana, me te orangatonutanga o te hono a te Karauna ki te Māori.

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

We are looking for people passionate about making a difference to the Māori Crown relationship. Our work is challenging and complex. Our goals are ambitious. As a Principal Solicitor, you will provide strategic legal advice on complex public law, Treaty settlements, and Takutai Moana matters. You will work across policy, legislative, operational, and litigation issues, including supporting high-profile litigation and advising on Māori rights and interests in the context of Treaty settlements and Takutai Moana. Working closely with senior leaders at Te Tari Whakatau, the Crown Law Office and the Parliamentary Counsel Office, you will be a trusted adviser helping to navigate complex and often novel legal issues. You will have significant autonomy while also playing a key role in mentoring solicitors and contributing to the capability and success of the legal team. Reporting to the Chief Legal Advisor, this is an opportunity to apply your expertise to work that helps advance Treaty settlements and Takutai Moana determinations, and support Māori-Crown relations.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

• At least 10 years' post-qualification legal experience
• Strong experience in public law, Treaty-related matters and litigation
• Proven ability to provide strategic, high-quality legal advice
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills
• A commitment to developing cultural capability and understanding of te ao Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Mō mātou/About us

Te Tari Whakatau is an independent departmental agency hosted by the Ministry of Justice - Te Tāhū o te Ture. Our work involves resolving historical Treaty of Waitangi claims and supporting the recognition of Māori customary rights and interests in Takutai Moana. Joining Te Tari Whakatau means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions. He kaimahi, he whānau.

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

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

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 remuneration band for this role is $130,129 - $168,062 – while the appointing salary will be based on skills and experience, we are willing to pay higher in the band to attract strong candidates into this role.

Applications close on 21 October 2026; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date. If you have any questions, please contact [e-mail] and include MOJ/1951348 (job number) in your subject line.

Office of Treaty Settlements and Takutai MoanaWellington