Senior Solicitor | Litigation

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; Auckland; On-site; NZD 112,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

MBIE, based in Auckland CBD, seeks an experienced Litigator to join our Auckland-based Litigation team within the Legal, Ethics and Privacy branch. You will advise on and appear in proceedings across a broad enforcement portfolio, including civil and criminal matters, with opportunities to lead and mentor colleagues.

You will work autonomously in a collaborative environment, sharing expertise to strengthen MBIE’s litigation capabilities and support across regulatory enforcement matters.

Qualifications

• Sound civil and/or criminal litigation experience with substantial PQE.
• Strong legal technical skills and the ability to draft clear documents.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and relationship management.
• Experience coaching and mentoring less experienced lawyers.
• Knowledge of regulatory enforcement litigation is desirable.
• Eligibility to obtain a current practising certificate.

Responsibilities

• Advise on and appear in proceedings before Courts, Tribunals and licensing Boards.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring within the Litigation team.
• Work autonomously in collaboration with colleagues on MBIE's complex matters.
• Contribute to development of litigation capability across the team.

Skills

Civil and/or criminal litigation

Written and verbal communication

Relationship management

Mentoring / coaching

Regulatory enforcement knowledge

Public law principles

Driver's license

Education

Law degree

Practising certificate eligibility

Job description

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

Permanent position based in Auckland CBD

• Litigator required for in-house team
• Challenging and varied role in dynamic environment
• Grow your experience across MBIE’s 16 different regulatory systems

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga

Salary range $112,000 - $160,000 kiwisaver and wellness benefits

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Litigator to join our Auckland based Litigation team within the Legal, Ethics and Privacy branch.

In this role you will advise on and appear in proceedings before a variety of Courts, Tribunals and licensing Boards on civil and criminal matters arising in relation to the broad range of enforcement activities across MBIE. These include prosecutions and civil appeals in the District Court, enforcement of minimum employment standards in the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court, refugee and deportation appeals in the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, disciplinary complaints before occupational licensing boards, and appearances before the Tenancy Tribunal.

As a senior member of the team, you will also provide technical leadership, guidance and mentoring to less experienced colleagues, sharing your expertise and contributing to the development of litigation capability across the team.

You will work with autonomy in a collaborative and supportive environment. You will learn from colleagues to build your knowledge as well as sharing your knowledge with others to conduct litigation, provide advice and support on some of MBIE’s most complex legal matters.

Skills And Experience Required

• Sound civil and/or criminal litigation experience with approximately at least five years + PQE
• Sound legal technical skills
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear, precise legal documentation
• Excellent relationship management skills and an ability to work well with others
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor and support the development of less experienced legal professionals.
• A tertiary qualification in law and ability to obtain a current practising certificate
• Some knowledge of regulatory enforcement litigation is also highly desirable
• The ability to reason robustly and persuasively and deliver successful outcomes in a demanding environment
• Previous intermediate/senior experience working in a litigation role
• Solid experience and knowledge of public law principles including statutory interpretation
• A full, clear driver's licence as the role involves some travel

About MBIE - Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahunga roa o ngā iwi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā‑ohanga, ā‑pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapa kua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Applications close on 05 October 2026