Senior Policy Advisor

CGR Services; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working environment

5 weeks annual leave

Wellbeing fund

Job summary

Natural Hazards Commission Toka TÍ Ake is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor to join the Policy & Government Relations team on a fixed-term basis until October 2027. You will provide senior policy advice to executives and the Board, lead policy projects, and respond to information requests while improving policy quality across the organisation.

You will build relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders, coach peers, and help manage Official Information Act responses and

Qualifications

• 5+ years of policy experience in a similar role.
• Strong written and verbal communication, with tailored advice for audiences.
• Sound judgement and critical thinking, ability to work through ambiguity.
• Experience building relationships and influencing senior leaders.
• Understanding of policy development and NZ public sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of high-quality policy advice across strategic and operational matters.
• Analyse complex policy issues, identify risks and provide evidence-based options.
• Manage policy projects from scoping to delivery.
• Contribute to scheme-level, legislative and government policy work.
• Lead or support responses to OIA, PQs, ministerial correspondence and Ombudsman inquiries.
• Build relationships across NHC and external stakeholders; support team coaching.

Skills

Policy advisory

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Policy development

Job description

About the role

Mo te mahi We have an opportunity for a Senior Policy Advisor to join our Policy & Government Relations team at Natural Hazards Commission Toka TÍ Ake on a fixed term basis until the end of October 2027. Reporting to the Principal Policy Advisor, you will provide senior policy advice across strategic and operational matters, supporting high-quality decision-making for senior leaders, the Executive Leadership Team, the Board and the Minister. You will lead and contribute to policy projects, accountability documents, information requests and externally driven policy work, while helping to strengthen the quality and consistency of policy advice across NHC.

• Lead the development of high-quality policy advice across strategic and operational matters.
• Analyse complex policy issues, identify risks and trade-offs, and provide clear, evidence-based advice.
• Manage policy projects, including scoping, planning, analysis and delivery.
• Provide senior input into scheme-level, legislative, government and local government policy work.
• Lead or support responses to Official Information Act requests, Parliamentary Questions, Ministerial correspondence, Ombudsman enquiries and other serious complaints.
• Build strong relationships across NHC and with external stakeholders, while supporting the wider team through coaching and peer review.

Skills & Experience

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• 5+ years’ experience in a similar policy role.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, tailored advice for different audiences.
• Sound judgement and critical thinking, with the ability to work through ambiguity and develop evidence-based options.
• Experience building trusted relationships and influencing senior leaders and stakeholders.
• A sound understanding of policy development processes and the New Zealand public sector environment.
• Awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and equity considerations in policy advice.

What’s in it for you?

• 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 TÍ Ake is a great place to work

Natural Hazards Commission Toka TÍ 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 TÍ 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
• Confidence – māia

He aha te mea nui o te au – he tángata he tángata he tángata 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 Thursday 3 September 2026 at 5:00pm.

Applications sent via email will not be accepted.