Senior Solicitor

New Zealand Government Joba; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

Taumata Arowai, the Crown water regulator for Aotearoa New Zealand, is seeking a Senior Solicitor in Wellington to provide practical, solutions-focused legal advice across regulatory, public law and organisational matters.

Reporting to the Legal Manager, the role involves advising on regulatory powers, enforcement, policy development and governance, with opportunities to lead on key statutory objectives and contribute to safe drinking water and environmental performance.

Qualifications

• At least five years' post-qualification experience and a current NZ practising certificate.
• Experience in regulatory, public law and/or central/local government.
• Strong legislative interpretation and drafting skills.
• Excellent critical thinking, sound judgement and clear decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder relationship skills and ability to communicate complex concepts clearly.
• Litigation management experience; familiarity with Resource Management Act advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Advise on regulatory powers, compliance and enforcement tools.
• Support governance, organisational risk management and strategic decision-making.
• Develop and review contracts and other legal instruments.
• Provide practical, in-house legal advice and risk-based recommendations.
• Contribute to Te Mana o te Wai objectives and environmental outcomes.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Taumata Arowai to support outcomes.

Skills

Post-qualification experience

Regulatory & public law

Legislative drafting

Litigation management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

NZ Practising Certificate

Job description

## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this roleJoin our small, high-performing legal team as a Senior Solicitor, providing practical, solutions-focused advice on a diverse range of regulatory, public law and organisational matters. **Ko wai mātou | About us** Taumata Arowai is a Crown entity and the water services regulator for Aotearoa New Zealand. Established in March 2021, we continue to grow and are moving into our next phase of operation, protecting and promoting drinking water safety, overseeing the environmental performance of water services networks, and giving effect to Te Mana o te Wai. If you're a passionate and driven individual who is keen to improve the hauora of our wai and be involved in a wide range of interesting and meaningful legal issues - then join us and help make a difference. **Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role** 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 outcomesThe 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. **Ko koe tēnei | About you** 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 advantageousThis 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. Please visit our Ngā Mahi | Careers Page to view the position description and learn more about working at Taumata Arowai. **Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply** To apply please visit our Ngā Mahi | Careers Page or directly through Seek. **Rā Katinga | Applications close midnight 8 October 2026.** *You must have a legal right to work in New Zealand.*## Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details| | || --- | --- || Employer: | Taumata Arowai || Location: | Wellington - Wairarapa || Position type: | Permanent - Full Time || Category: | Legal & courts || Date listed: | 24-Sep-2026 || Salary range: | $119,791 - $153,066 || Closing date: | 08-Oct-2026 || Reference: | NZ/1949233 |