Senior Policy Analyst - Trade

New Zealand Customs Service; Wellington; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-the-job training

Flexible working

Health insurance discount

On-site gym

Service holidays

Annual leave

Job summary

New Zealand Customs Service in Wellington is seeking a high-performing Analyst or Senior Analyst to join the Policy and Strategy Group on a permanent full-time basis. Based at the Wellington Customhouse, you will lead policy projects, analyse complex material, and provide strategic advice to enable trade, revenue collection and border protections.

You will develop pragmatic solutions, build relationships across government and international partners, and translate complex issues into clear

Qualifications

• Be a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident.
• Residing in New Zealand at the time of application.
• Have resided continuously in New Zealand for the last five years. Any exceptions to this will need to be discussed with recruitment to assess eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy projects and work programmes, delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Provide policy advice to help Customs meet its regulatory stewardship obligations.
• Develop pragmatic solutions to novel and time-critical issues.
• Communicate complex issues clearly to diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Build trusted relationships across government, business and international networks.

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

New Zealand Customs Service – Wellington Central, North Island

Join the Customs Policy and Strategy Group

This is a permanent full-time position, based in our Wellington Customhouse.

Are you a high-performing Analyst ready for the next step in your career, or an experienced Senior Analyst looking for a new challenge? Join our high-performing and collaborative Policy and Strategy Group!

The work Customs’ Policy Group undertakes is vital to enabling international trade, revenue collection, facilitating travel to and from New Zealand, and the protection and security of New Zealand’s border. This is an intellectually stimulating environment, where you will provide policy advice and support to help Customs meet its regulatory stewardship obligations.

This role will suit an intellectually curious, critical thinker with strong analytical and strategic thinking skills. You will be comfortable with complex technical material and able to quickly build deep expertise in specialist policy areas. You will identify emerging opportunities and challenges, contribute to advancing New Zealand's trade policy objectives, and apply an understanding of Customs' strategic priorities and trade policy settings when developing advice and recommendations. You will lead policy projects and work programmes, delivering high-quality outcomes in a dynamic environment.

You will understand the domestic and international environments and navigate relationships across government, Parliament and international institutions to support effective policy outcomes. You will provide advice on matters affecting businesses, agencies and individuals, including complex issues that require balancing risks, trade-offs and competing priorities. You will be comfortable thinking on your feet and developing pragmatic solutions to novel and time-critical issues.

You will build and maintain trusted relationships across government, business and international networks to advance Customs' and New Zealand's interests. You will also help raise awareness and understanding of New Zealand's trade agreements and trade network among businesses and other stakeholders. You will communicate complex and technical issues clearly, succinctly and persuasively, tailoring advice to a range of audiences. You will be confident navigating differing perspectives and interests and work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop practical and durable solutions to complex issues.

While the successful applicant will initially join the Trade Policy team, there may be opportunities to work across the wider Policy Group over time.

Knowledge of, or interest in, international trade is desirable but not essential. The team works closely with government agencies, industry groups and businesses to support New Zealand's trade objectives and promote effective use of New Zealand's Free Trade Agreements. Opportunities may arise to represent Customs and New Zealand in bilateral, regional and international meetings, forums and negotiations as required. You will need to be able and willing to undertake domestic and international travel as required.

What we offer…

At Customs, we aim to create a great place to work, where our people have a sense of belonging and the capability and desire to meet our future challenges. We are an organisation that is clear about our mission, and this is underpinned by Te Pou Tokomanawa (the Foundations) and our Whanonga Pono (Values). Our work really matters to the safety and success of New Zealand.

• offering on-the-job training, formal courses and leadership programmes, and the chance to move across diverse roles.
• fostering inclusive and supportive team environment with vibrant social and cultural groups.
• supporting flexible working - talk to us about how we can help you achieve your flexible working goals, within our operational requirements.
• providing discounted health insurance, and free on-site gyms (Wellington).
• Three days of service holidays, in addition to four weeks of annual leave.

Requirements to apply…

• Be a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident;
• Residing in New Zealand at the time of application;
• Have resided continuously in New Zealand for the last five years. Any exceptions to this will need to be discussed with recruitment to assess whether you will still be eligible to meet the Organisation's Security Clearance application criteria.

Applications close 11pm, Thursday 24 September 2026.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.