Senior Solicitor

Taumata Arowai; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Taumata Arowai is seeking a Senior Solicitor to provide high-quality, in-house legal advice across the Crown entity and regulator. Reporting to the Legal Manager, you will advise leaders on regulatory powers, enforcement, policy development, and legislative reform to support confident decision-making and effective risk management.

You will operate within a small Corporate Group, offering independent and collaborative support while building trusted relationships across the organisation to advance

Qualifications

• At least five years’ post-qualification experience.
• Regulatory, public law and/or government experience ideal.
• Strong legislative interpretation and drafting skills required.
• Excellent critical thinking and sound judgement.
• Strong stakeholder relationship skills and clear communication.
• Independent and collaborative style in a small team.
• Litigation management experience; RMA familiarity advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Advise on regulatory powers, compliance and enforcement tools, and policy development.
• Support governance, organisational risk management and strategic decision-making.
• Help Taumata Arowai realise its statutory objectives and operating principles.
• Build trusted relationships across the organisation with stakeholders to support outcomes.

Skills

Regulatory powers & enforcement

Policy & legislative development

Litigation management

Governance & risk management

Stakeholder relationships

Legislative drafting

Critical thinking

Client service orientation

Education

New Zealand practising certificate

Law degree

Job description

Job Category: Government & Defence

The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai (the Authority) was established as a Crown Entity in 2021, following the outbreak of illness in the Havelock North community as a result of drinking contaminated water from the public water supply. The Authority oversees and regulates the safety and quality of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across New Zealand. We do this on behalf of consumers and communities throughout New Zealand, so they can have confidence in the safety and quality of their drinking water and the impact on their environment.

If you’re a passionate and driven individual who shares our vision for making water safe everyday for everyone, then join us and be part of making a difference.

Job Description

Reporting to the Legal Manager, you will be a trusted advisor to leaders and teams across Taumata Arowai, providing sound, strategic and pragmatic legal advice that supports confident decision-making and effective risk management. You'll partner with stakeholders, navigate complex legal and regulatory issues, and deliver practical solutions that help the organisation achieve its regulatory objectives. You will contribute across a broad range of work, including regulatory powers and enforcement, policy and legislative development, litigation management, governance, and organisational legal risk.

Our Senior Solicitor will provide high quality, practical in-house legal advice to Taumata Arowai as a Crown entity and regulator. The role will include:

• advising on the use of regulatory powers, compliance and enforcement tools, litigation risk, policy development and legislative reform
• supporting governance, organisational legal risk management and strategic decision-making
• helping Taumata Arowai realise its statutory objectives, functions and operating principles, including giving effect to Te Mana o te Wai
• building trusted relationships across the organisation working closely with stakeholders to support their outcomes

The Senior Solicitor will join a small, supportive legal team within our Corporate Group. This is a true senior all-rounder role, with opportunities to work independently, provide guidance to others, and contribute to meaningful regulatory outcomes. Working at Taumata Arowai, you will be part of a relatively flat organisation with access to senior leaders, a strong sense of purpose, and opportunities to contribute to work that supports the health of water, people and the environment.

We are looking for a senior legal all-rounder who brings:

• at least five years’ post-qualification experience and a current New Zealand practising certificate
• regulatory, public law and/or central or local government experience, or a strong understanding of how regulators operate
• Strong legislative interpretation and drafting skills, including preparing and reviewing secondary legislation, contracts, and other legal instruments
• excellent critical thinking, sound judgement and the confidence to identify key issues and develop practical options
• strong stakeholder relationship skills, with the ability to listen, understand needs and communicate complex legal concepts clearly
• a solutions-focused, independent and collaborative working style, with a willingness to be hands‑on as part of a small team
• litigation management experience and familiarity with the Resource Management Act would be advantageous

This role is suited to someone who is comfortable navigating ambiguity and change, enjoys the variety of a broad in‑house role, and can balance legal rigour with practical delivery. You’ll bring curiosity, resilience and a strong client service ethos, and you’ll be motivated by work that contributes to safe, reliable drinking water and improved environmental performance of water services across Aotearoa New Zealand.

You must have a legal right to work in New Zealand.