Senior Geospatial Advisor

New Zealand Transport Agency; Auckland; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks annual leave

Life & income protection

Critical illness insurance

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency seeks a Senior Geospatial Advisor to provide specialist geospatial advice and lead mapping projects that support evidence-based transport decisions. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and coach junior staff while expanding geospatial capability across the organisation.

Based in Wellington or Auckland, you will drive scoping and delivery, balance stakeholders, risks, and timelines, and champion reusable geospatial solutions and data quality across NZTA Waka

Qualifications

• Deep geospatial analysis and mapping capabilities to inform decisions.
• Translate business needs into practical geospatial products.
• Strong data management and quality assurance practices.
• Experience with geospatial automation and ETL workflows is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead geospatial initiatives from scoping through to delivery.
• Coach Geospatial Analysts and share technical knowledge.
• Develop reusable geospatial solutions and maintain data quality.
• Communicate complex spatial information to diverse audiences.

Skills

Geospatial analysis

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Enterprise

ArcGIS Online

FME

ETL workflows

Stakeholder management

Coaching

Data quality assurance

Spatial data management

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Enterprise

ArcGIS Online

FME

Job description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Provide trusted geospatial advice and complex spatial analysis to support better transport decisions Lead geospatial initiatives and improvements from scoping through to delivery Join a collaborative team where you can share your expertise and help others succeed Permanent opportunity based in Wellington or Auckland Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity This is an exciting opportunity to bring your geospatial expertise to work that positively influences the delivery of Aotearoa New Zealand’s transport priorities. As a Senior Geospatial Advisor, you will provide specialist geospatial advice and lead improvement and mapping projects that support evidence-based decision making across NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to understand business needs, identify opportunities for new geospatial solutions, and improve the way spatial information and systems are used. You will lead work from scoping through to delivery, including spatial analysis and mapping, balancing stakeholder needs, priorities, dependencies, risks, time, cost and quality. You will also help strengthen consistent geospatial practice by developing reusable solutions, assuring the quality of geospatial data and products, and communicating technical information clearly to a range of audiences. You will contribute to a collaborative team environment by coaching Geospatial Analysts and sharing your technical knowledge. This role offers the opportunity to champion geospatial capability across the organisation while developing strong internal, cross-government, vendor, and industry relationships. You will find out more about the role here: Position Description.

Ō Pūmanawa | What we’re looking for

• Demonstrated depth of expertise in geospatial analysis, mapping, visualisation and spatial data management, including experience turning complex information into clear, decision-useful insights.
• Proven ability to understand business needs and translate them into practical, fit-for-purpose geospatial products, services or process improvements.
• Strong spatial data management and analytical capability, supported by an excellent understanding of the geospatial industry.
• Experience using geospatial data management workflows, including FME.
• Demonstrated experience using Esri geospatial technologies, such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online, to deliver reliable geospatial analysis and information products.
• Proven ability to scope and lead geospatial initiatives through to delivery, balancing stakeholder needs, priorities, dependencies, risks, time, cost and quality.
• Proven relationship-management capability, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and build trusted relationships with business stakeholders, technical specialists, partners and vendors.
• Sound judgement and problem-solving capability, including the ability to work independently, navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities and identify when matters require escalation.
• Demonstrated ability to review and assure geospatial data, analysis and products, constructively challenge proposed approaches and support consistent, high-quality practice.
• Proven ability to coach and support others through practical guidance, peer review, knowledge sharing and constructive feedback.
• Experience with geospatial automation, ETL workflows, field data collection applications, enterprise reporting tools or other complementary data technologies would be useful for this role.
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of, or a willingness to develop an understanding of, Te Ao Māori, tikanga, te reo Māori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it applies in the public sector.

Mō mātou | About us

Business and Geospatial Intelligence Services provides trusted insights, intelligence, business intelligence and geospatial capability that support evidence-based decision-making across NZTA Waka Kotahi. The function develops and maintains enterprise reporting, analytics, business intelligence and geospatial products and services that improve organisational performance, support strategic and operational decision-making, and enhance understanding of the transport system. The team leads the development of enterprise analytics, business intelligence and geospatial capability through common standards, reusable information products, self-service tools, data governance and fit-for-purpose services that maximise the value of organisational data and location intelligence. He aha te take e uru ai koe ki a mātou? | So, why join us? At NZTA, you'll be part of an organisation where the different backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences of our people are celebrated. We want you to feel like you belong here, valued, respected, and empowered to bring your whole self to work. From five weeks’ annual leave through to life, income protection, and critical illness insurance for our permanent employees, you will be well looked after here. Our benefits are designed to support our people and provide a happy, healthy, and high-performing environment.

Rā Katinga | Applications close: 19 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.

Ko wai mātou | About us

At Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, it all starts with our people. The organisation's performance and success depends on the people who choose to make this a great place to work and make a difference for Aotearoa. Waka Kotahi has a strong future focus, understanding that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system we know today will not be the one we deliver in ten years time.