Senior Data and Insights Analyst

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Auckland; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Career development

Collaborative environment

5 weeks annual leave

Income protection

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is seeking a Senior Data and Insights Analyst to join Regulatory Planning, Performance & Improvement. You will combine operational and regulatory data to provide evidence-based insights that inform decisions and improve regulatory performance.

You will lead development of insight-led reporting, dashboards, and data products, communicating complex information to senior leaders and frontline teams to support timely, risk-led actions.

Qualifications

• Combines strong technical expertise with curiosity and sound judgement.
• Ability to translate data into practical recommendations for action.
• Experience in regulatory, government or complex operational environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a strategic forward view of regulatory sub-system performance.
• Lead insight-led reporting explaining what is happening and why it matters.
• Provide timely advice on risks, trends and performance to inform decisions.
• Lead regular performance monitoring, analysis and reporting.
• Conduct complex analyses to inform regulatory responses and planning.
• Design and improve dashboards, reporting packs and data products.
• Strengthen data collection, validation and management practices.
• Identify systemic risks and respond with appropriate actions.
• Oversee high-impact information requests with robust evidence.
• Build relationships and advise senior leaders and frontline teams.
• Provide clear, practical, evidence-based advice to leaders.
• Support governance, committee and ministerial reporting.

Skills

Data management

Quality assurance

Performance reporting

Dashboard design

Data analysis

Strategic insight

Governance & oversight

Communication

Attention to detail

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory/government context

Tools

Dashboard tools

Data visualization

Reporting software

Job description

• Help shape how regulatory performance is understood and turn complex operational and regulatory data into clear, practical insight
• Influence decision-making and strengthen evidence-based regulatory delivery
• Join a collaborative team supporting consistent, effective and risk-led outcomes in Vehicle Regulation.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Data and Insights Analyst to join our Regulatory Planning, Performance & Improvement function.

This role provides the evidence base that helps our Vehicle Regulation sub-system understand what is happening, why it is happening and where action may be needed. You will bring together operational and regulatory data to build a clear view of performance, identify emerging risks and trends, and provide leaders and frontline teams with insight they can use.

If you enjoy making sense of complex information, asking the right questions and translating data into practical recommendations, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to regulatory performance and delivery. You will help strengthen the quality and consistency of our reporting, improve our data and insights capability, and ensure decisions are grounded in reliable evidence.

Key responsibilities include:

• Maintain a strategic and forward-looking view of regulatory sub-system performance.
• Lead the development of insight-led reporting that explains what is happening, why it matters and what may need to change.
• Provide timely, decision-ready advice on risks, trends, emerging issues, trade-offs and performance information to support better decisions.
• Lead regular and targeted performance monitoring, analysis and reporting.
• Lead complex analysis to inform regulatory responses, planning, assurance, audit and compliance activity.
• Design and continuously improve dashboards, reporting packs and other data products.
• Strengthen data collection, validation and management practices to improve quality, integrity and consistency.
• Identify systemic risks, control weaknesses and performance issues, and support appropriate responses.
• Oversee high-impact information requests, ensuring responses are accurate, consistent and supported by robust evidence.
• Build strong relationships and act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, operational teams and other stakeholders.
• Provide clear, practical and evidence-based advice to leaders and operational teams.
• Support governance, committee, forum, Ministerial, OIA and reporting requirements.

You can find out more about the role in the position description here

Ko koe tēnei | About you

We are looking for a highly capable Senior Data and Insights Analyst who can combine strong technical expertise with curiosity, sound judgement and a practical understanding of how data and information support good decisions.

You will be comfortable working with complex or incomplete information and confident challenging assumptions, identifying the story behind the data and turning your analysis into clear advice and recommendations for action. You will be able to build strong relationships, and work collaboratively with leaders, frontline teams, subject matter experts and wider stakeholders.

You will bring:

• Experience supporting planning, prioritisation or coordination across multiple teams or work programmes.
• Demonstrated expertise in data management and quality assurance, including improving the accuracy, integrity and consistency of operational data.
• Strong experience in performance reporting and dashboard design, particularly for senior leadership and governance audiences.
• High technical proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools, with the ability to interrogate complex datasets.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• The ability to translate data into strategic insight, practical recommendations and clear options for decision-makers.
• An understanding of performance frameworks, assurance processes and how data supports effective oversight, performance monitoring, reporting, assurance and governance.
• Experience contributing to reporting standards, process improvement or improved data maturity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information clearly to non-technical audiences through reports, dashboards and briefings.
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to maintain quality across competing priorities.
• Experience in a regulatory, government or complex operational environment, or the ability to quickly build the necessary context.

This role would suit someone with experience in a regulatory, government or complex operational environment who enjoys using data and analysis to support better outcomes.

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of, Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in the public sector.

Mō mātou | About Us

Te Rōpū Waeture | Regulatory

As the lead regulator for land transport, our purpose is to ensure the system is safe, effective, efficient and operates in the public interest. Safety is our top priority, and we are committed to reducing harm by being a firm and fair regulator, grounded in good regulatory practice and Te Ao Māori principles. We take a system view, focusing on outcomes, encouraging and educating where appropriate, and enforcing compliance when necessary.

Regulatory Planning, Performance & Improvement

Our Regulatory Planning, Performance & Improvement function plays an important role in helping the regulatory system operate well. We provide sub-system oversight, planning, performance monitoring and improvement support so regulatory teams can focus on core delivery while having the insight, tools and support they need to make good decisions and improve outcomes.

Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return

At NZTA, you will be part of work that matters to people, communities and the transport system across Aotearoa New Zealand. This role offers variety, purpose and the opportunity to build strong relationships while contributing to better planning, performance and improvement across a complex national regulatory system.

Along with a competitive salary package, we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements (role dependent).
• Career development and learning opportunities.
• A collaborative and supportive work environment.
• 5 weeks annual leave.
• Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance for permanent employees.
• Access to a range of employee benefits and wellbeing initiatives.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

14 October 2026

For further information, email: [e-mail]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.