Senior Legal Advisor

Earthquake Commission; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

5 weeks annual leave

Professional development

Wellbeing fund

Hybrid working environment

IT home bundle

Job summary

Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake seeks an experienced Senior Legal Advisor on a fixed-term two-year basis. You will provide strategic legal advice across regulatory matters, contracts, and disputes, partnering with teams to manage risk and drive compliant decision-making.

You will also oversee external counsel and contribute to the Legal team’s strategy. You will hold a law degree and NZ practising certificate, with 10+ years PQE and strong public sector experience.

Qualifications

• Law degree and current NZ practising certificate.
• More than 10 years’ post-qualification experience, with public sector experience.
• Familiar with Crown entities, natural hazards insurance, privacy and information access.
• Experience in litigation, ADR, and handling complex complaints.
• Strong commercial law knowledge and ability to draft contracts and opinions.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, practical legal advice on commercial, public sector, regulatory and claims matters.
• Interpret legislation and policy and advise on implications.
• Conduct legal research, due diligence, and prepare opinions and reports.
• Manage complex disputes and complaints.
• Review contracts and policies for public release.
• Instruct and manage external counsel and assess costs.

Education

Law degree

NZ practising certificate

10+ years PQE

Public sector experience

Contract drafting

Commercial law knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Litigation experience

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Senior Legal Advisor to join NHC Toka Tū Ake on a fixed-term basis for a two-year period.

Reporting to Manager, Legal Services, you will provide sound, practical and strategic legal advice to support confident decision-making and effective risk management across NHC. You will partner with teams across the organisation on a broad range of legal and regulatory matters, contribute to significant projects, and help identify and address emerging legal risks and compliance obligations. You will also manage external legal support and contribute to the Legal team’s strategy and work programme.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide timely, practical legal advice on commercial, public sector, regulatory and claims matters.
• Interpret legislation and government policy, helping the organisation understand and respond to their implications.
• Conduct legal research and due diligence, and prepare legal opinions, reports and other documentation.
• Manage complex disputes and complaints.
• Review commercial contracts, operational policies and documents intended for public release.
• Contribute specialist legal expertise to organisational projects and media responses.
• Instruct and manage external counsel, including overseeing the quality and cost-effectiveness of external legal advice.

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• A law degree and a current New Zealand practising certificate.
• More than 10 years’ post-qualification experience and significant public sector experience, preferably within government or a Crown entity.
• Familiarity with legislation relevant to Crown entities, natural hazards insurance, property, privacy and official information, including its policy intent and practical application.
• Experience with litigation, alternative dispute resolution and managing complex complaints.
• Strong commercial law knowledge and experience drafting contracts and providing legal opinions.
• Sound judgement, with the ability to identify legal and wider organisational risks and develop practical solutions.
• Experience building trusted relationships and providing high-quality advice to stakeholders at different levels of seniority.
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing demands.

What’s in it for you? | Nōu te rourou

• Competitive salary (including 3.5% superannuation)
• 5 weeks annual leave
• Commitment to your professional development
• Wellbeing fund | Access to inhouse Wellness Coach
• Hybrid working environment
• IT home bundle

Why NHC Toka Tū Ake is a great place to work

Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake is an Aotearoa (NZ) Crown entity that invests in natural hazard research and education as well as providing natural hazard insurance to residential property owners.

NHC Toka Tū Ake mission is to reduce the impact on people and property when a natural hazard occurs while administering the natural hazard fund.

Our values define who we are; they influence the way we work with each other and the way we engage with homeowners, stakeholders and with communities, every day.

• Connection – hononga
• Curiosity – māhirahira

What is the most important thing in the world; it is people, it is people, it is people.

Our commitment is a diverse and inclusive workforce because we know our culture thrives when we get this right.

We make a difference for all New Zealanders and strive to increasingly reflect the diversity of communities we serve by including and valuing perspectives from all backgrounds including ethnicity, religion, gender, age, accessibility needs, sexual orientation, and national origin.

Applications close Friday, 25 September 2026 at 12:00pm.

Note: While we acknowledge that AI can be helpful, we want your application to represent you. Please ensure your CV and cover letter reflect your own voice and experiences.

Location(s) Christchurch