Senior Policy Advisor II (6084366)

New Zealand Police; Wellington; On-site; NZD 112,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Police is seeking highly experienced policy professionals to tackle challenging policy issues across national security, cyber, and criminal justice reform. The NSCCJ and Policing Legislative Reform policy teams offer opportunities for senior contributors with a track record in public policy and stakeholder engagement.

The role emphasizes leadership, critical thinking, and the ability to influence outcomes through evidence-based options, while upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Qualifications

• Requires policy experience leading or supporting complex initiatives.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
• Excellent written and oral communication, able to tailor advice for different audiences.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships across agencies.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in policy development.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support complex policy initiatives in NSCCJ/Police Legislative Reform.
• Provide policy advice on national security, cyber, and criminal justice topics.
• Communicate complex issues clearly to diverse audiences to inform policy.
• Build and maintain effective relationships across agencies to influence outcomes.
• Demonstrate commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in policy work.

Skills

Policy experience

National security understanding

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Stakeholder relations

Te Tiriti o Waitangi knowledge

Citizenship/residency NZ/AU

Job description

Requisition ID6084366-Posted05/11/2026-Wellington-Permanent FT

• Based at Police National Headquarters, Wellington
• Broadbanded $111,529 to $181,603 inclusive of KiwiSaver
• Police Employee
• Permanent, Full time
• NAV
• JR 6084366

Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face

We are looking for energetic and capable policy professionals who are looking to tackle some of New Zealand’s most pressing challenges. Join us and make a real difference for the future of our communities.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

The New Zealand Police Policy Group provides advice on a remarkable and fascinating range of policy issues, from vulnerable children, family harm, and health, through to organised crime, firearms, national security, transport, emergency management, and criminal justice reform. The diversity of our business makes for interesting and challenging policy opportunities across the wide variety of sectors we work with.

There are four policy teams in the Policy Group – Core Policing, National Security, Cyber and Criminal Justice, People and Communities, and Policing Legislative Reform.

While we appoint to the Group, with provision for staff rotation, there are currently vacancies in the National Security, Cyber and Criminal Justice and Policing Legislative Reform policy teams. More about these teams is provided below.

National Security, Cyber and Criminal Justice Policy (NSCCJ)

The NSCCJ Policy Team manages a broad range of portfolios. We work with Police groups and other agencies within the national and international security system to provide advice and support policy and legislative changes relating to national security. This includes work relating to counter terrorism, cyber and foreign interference. Similarly, we work across the criminal justice system with a focus on policy and legislative change, the administration of justice and management of offenders.

Policing Legislative Reform Policy

The Policing Legislative Reform Policy Team is responsible for managing Police-administered legislation, including regulations. We work with our key internal stakeholders to ensure that our legislation is fit for purpose, and to drive legislative and regulatory change to enable Police to continue to operate effectively within an increasingly complex and evolving operational environment.

We are looking for very experienced senior policy advisors who have at least 5 years’ experience in public policy, and is able to demonstrate:

• Previous experience leading, or a critical role in supporting, complex and significant policy initiatives.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills – the ability to work through ambiguity and develop evidence‑based options, and to exercise sound judgement.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills – the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and succinctly, and to tailor advice for different audiences, in a way that effectively informs and influences policy advice.
• A track record of building and maintaining effective and trusted working relationships (internally and across agencies) that support understanding and influence outcomes.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its relevance to policy development and implementation.

He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring

Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours,your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.

• Must hold a New Zealand or Australian Citizenship or be a New Zealand Resident. The role in the NSCCJ Policy Team requires a national security clearance, or the ability to obtain one.
• Must hold a New Zealand or Australian Citizenship or be a New Zealand Resident. The role in the NSCCJ Policy Team requires a national security clearance, or the ability to obtain one.

This role is Individual Contributor/Emerging Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements

To be eligible for this role, you may be asked to obtain and maintain a national security clearance.

The minimum criteria for this level of national security clearance is:

NZ Citizen who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 10 years, or:

• A Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 10 years, or
• A citizen of or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last 10 years: Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, or United States of America, and has a background that can be verified by the NZSIS.

Use this online tool to self‑check your eligibility for a security clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process:

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front‑line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.

Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.

The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well‑rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.

This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence between $111,529 and $181,603 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.

If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address and state your future commitments should you be successful in the next stage of the recruitment process.

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on 19th November 2026. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.