Senior Policy Analyst (Aquaculture Policy)

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI); Wellington; On-site; NZD 103,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional MPI leave days

Annual Wellness payment

Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare

Job summary

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) seeks a Senior Policy Analyst (Aquaculture) to lead policy and regulatory work for sustainable aquaculture growth in New Zealand. You will deliver evidence-based advice to Ministers and Cabinet while navigating complex government processes and building strong stakeholder relationships.

You will mentor others, contribute to legislative reform, and work within a dynamic policy team facing major reform programmes and planning-system updates.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a policy-related role.
• Strong experience navigating government, Cabinet and parliamentary processes.
• Demonstrated experience developing high-quality policy and regulatory advice.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven experience building and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders, Māori and government agencies.
• Experience coaching, mentoring or supporting the development of other policy professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex aquaculture policy and regulatory projects from development through to implementation.
• Develop clear, evidence-based advice for Ministers, Cabinet and other decision-makers.
• Work through complex system, legislative and implementation challenges to support Government priorities.
• Build trusted relationships across MPI, government agencies, industry stakeholders, councils, iwi and Treaty partners.
• Contribute to major aquaculture reform programmes, including planning system and legislative reform initiatives.
• Support the development of policy capability through coaching, mentoring and sharing expertise with other analysts.

Skills

Policy capability

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Coaching/mentoring

Education

Experience in policy environment

Job description

Senior Policy Analyst (Aquaculture Policy)

Role type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Wellington City

Salary band & range: General Salary Range Band D, $102,953 - $120,365 depending on skills and experience.

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are seeking a Senior Policy Analyst (Aquaculture) to join the Aquaculture Policy team in the Primary Sector Policy directorate within MPI's Policy & Trade business unit. The Primary Sector Policy directorate provides high-quality strategic policy advice and thought leadership to support our sectors to flourish. We work across MPI, with wider government, the primary sectors and Māori interests to support economic prosperity, alongside environmental and social sustainability.

The Aquaculture Policy team leads policy work to enable the sustainable growth and long-term success of New Zealand's aquaculture sector. Our work focuses on delivering aquaculture priorities through the Government's new planning system and identifying improvements to legislative and regulatory settings that support the sector to grow, innovate and invest, while delivering strong environmental outcomes and giving effect to Treaty obligations.

This is an exciting time to join the team, with significant policy and regulatory reform underway, including work associated with a potential new Aquaculture Act and implementation of the Government's new planning system. You'll have the opportunity to influence high-profile Government priorities and help shape the future of New Zealand's aquaculture sector.

In this role, you will:

• Lead complex aquaculture policy and regulatory projects from development through to implementation.
• Develop clear, evidence-based advice for Ministers, Cabinet and other decision-makers.
• Work through complex system, legislative and implementation challenges to support Government priorities.
• Build trusted relationships across MPI, government agencies, industry stakeholders, councils, iwi and Treaty partners.
• Contribute to major aquaculture reform programmes, including planning system and legislative reform initiatives.
• Support the development of policy capability through coaching, mentoring and sharing expertise with other analysts.

About You - Mōu

We're looking for an experienced policy professional who enjoys working through complex issues, building strong relationships and shaping practical solutions in dynamic environments.

You’ll bring strong policy capability, sound judgement and the ability to navigate ambiguity while delivering high-quality outcomes. You’ll be comfortable operating across government processes, engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, and providing clear advice on challenging issues.

We’re particularly interested in candidates who can quickly contribute to complex reform programmes and bring experience working within government, policy or regulatory environments.

To be successful in this role, you’ll have:

• Significant experience in a policy-related role, ideally within central government, local government, iwi organisations or another complex policy environment.
• Strong experience navigating government, Cabinet and parliamentary processes.
• Demonstrated experience developing high-quality policy and regulatory advice.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work through ambiguity and competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues clearly and influence diverse audiences.
• Proven experience building and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders, Māori and government agencies.
• Experience coaching, mentoring or supporting the development of other policy professionals.

It would be an advantage if you also bring:

• Experience in resource management, environmental management, planning reform, climate change or related policy areas.
• Knowledge of the primary sector operating environment.
• Experience engaging with senior leaders and influencing decision-making in complex stakeholder environments.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

You’ll join a small, highly capable and collaborative policy team working on some of the most significant aquaculture policy issues facing New Zealand.

The team includes analysts, senior analysts and principal advisers who work closely together to deliver high-quality policy advice, regulatory reform and Ministerial servicing. We are passionate about developing capability across the team and supporting each other to deliver meaningful outcomes.

With major work programmes underway, including planning system reform, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant policy initiatives while working alongside experienced policy professionals.

The team works collaboratively and actively looks for opportunities to contribute across the wider directorate and MPI, creating strong development opportunities and exposure to a broad range of policy issues and stakeholders.

About MPI - Mō Te Manatū Ahu Matua

We’re passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matu

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

You must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 4th October 2026.

If you have any questions about the role, please email [e-mail]