Private Secretary | Commerce and Consumer Affairs

New Zealand Ministry Of Economic Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development is seeking a Private Secretary for the Commerce and Consumer Affairs portfolio in Wellington. This full-time, fixed-term role involves supporting ministerial activities, fostering relationships, and managing executive decision-making processes within the government context. Candidates should possess strong organisational and communication skills, with a background suitable for senior advisory roles.

Benefits

Higher duties allowance

Extra week of leave for internal candidates

Qualifications

• Senior or principal advisor level experience in policy-related work.
• Knowledge of parliamentary processes and legislation.
• Ability to maintain a Confidential security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationship between the Minister’s office and MBIE.
• Develop cabinet papers and understand government decision-making.
• Handle ministerial correspondence and operational requirements.

Skills

Relationship management

Judgement

Organisational skills

Communication

Integrity

Executive decision-making

Knowledge of government administration

Job description

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Private Secretary | Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Date: 8 Jul 2025

Location:

Wellington, NZ, 6011

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Higher duties allowance and 1 extra week of leave for internal candidates, and a comparable fixed term salary for external candidates.
• Fixed-term or Secondment for 18 months based in Wellington
• Do you thrive in a fast-paced and challenging role?
• Are you eager to use your superior influencing, negotiation and multi-tasking skills to make a difference at the political interface?

If so, we want to hear from you!

MBIE is seeking expressions of interest for a Private Secretary position in the Commerce and Consumer Affairs portfolio. This position is based in the office of the relevant Minister, currently Minister Simpson, and reports to the Head of the Office of the Deputy Secretary, Building, Resources and Markets (BRM) group. This opportunity is Wellington based, a secondment for 18 months, full time, starting in late July/early August.

Private Secretaries are the bridge between the Minister’s office and MBIE. This means we are looking for someone who can build strong relationships with others, exercise excellent judgement and self-manage. The role will reward you with a unique experience during which you will develop invaluable communication, relationship, and judgement skills to take with you into your future career. You will be well supported along the way with a firm focus on your pastoral care and how to succeed as a Private Secretary.

You are a policy professional who is very knowledgeable about the machinery of government and how the legislative process works, and ideally knowledgeable about the portfolio ( or can get up to speed quickly). You will be known for your ability to take initiative, identify and manage risk, and clearly communicate with others. You will have excellent relationship management skills and very sound judgement, with demonstrated experience working confidently with senior leaders and ministers. You will be looking to further develop your political nous, have a passion for being in the thick of it and relish the opportunity to be exposed to decision-making at the highest level.

Skills and Experience Required

What you will need to bring:

This role would suit a person who thrives in a fast-paced and challenging role, and therefore you will need:

• Demonstrated and proven policy or similar work at a senior or principal advisor level
• Experience with executive decision-making, particularly through developing cabinet papers; and a good understanding of parliamentary processes, including for legislation
• Sound judgement and a high degree of personal integrity
• Well-developed relationship management skills and confidence working with a wide range of people, particularly those at a senior level
• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage and administer processes and meet competing deadlines
• Good knowledge of government administration and legal requirements around dealing with private and official information
• Strong written communication and an eye for detail
• Experience with ministerial servicing tasks, such as ministerial correspondence, OIAs, parliamentary questions.

This role requires the candidate to be able to gain and maintain a Confidential security clearance. This is an office and Wellington based position. Working from home is not suitable for this position.

In addition, private secretary roles put you at the heart of decision making, giving you excellent insights into the working of government, a great way to build connections across the public sector and advance your career.

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.

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Wednesday, 16 July 2025.