Senior Solicitor (Neds)

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai is seeking a senior lawyer to lead the development of a nationally significant regulatory framework for water services infrastructure in New Zealand. The role is fixed-term through December 2027 and requires strong judgement, drafting skill, and experience in public law and regulatory design.

You will collaborate across policy, engineering, regulatory and engagement teams to shape statutory powers, guidance, and codes of practice under the Water

Qualifications

• Strong drafting skills including secondary legislation and regulatory instruments.
• Experience in public law, environmental law or local government regimes.
• Ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear guidance and codes of practice.

Responsibilities

• Advise on statutory powers, decision-making, and consultation obligations.
• Support development of guidance, secondary legislation, and decision documents for regulatory standards.
• Collaborate across legal, policy, engineering, regulatory and engagement workstreams.

Skills

Statutory interpretation

Regulatory design

Legal drafting

Public law

Risk management

Education

New Zealand practising certificate

Job description

Help shape a nationally significant legal framework for New Zealand's water infrastructure in this collaborative senior legal role

Ko wai mātou | About us

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 every day for everyone, then join us and be part of making a difference.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

We are looking for a senior lawyer to primarily support the development of a nationally significant regulatory framework for water services infrastructure in New Zealand and support the wider work of the legal team. This is a fixed term role until December 2027. The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai is developing National Engineering Design Standards to support a more consistent, performance-based approach to the design, construction and operational performance of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure across New Zealand. This is a high-profile regulatory design project involving complex legal, policy, technical and sector engagement issues. You will work closely with policy, engineering, regulatory and engagement specialists to support the development of the legal framework for the standards, supporting codes of practice, alternative solution pathways and assurance arrangements.

What you will do

Advise on statutory powers, decision-making, consultation obligations, legal risk and implementation settings. Support the development of guidance, secondary legislation instruments, briefing material and decision documents to develop and implement the National Engineering Design Standards under the Water Services Act 2021. Support the design of performance-based regulatory tools, including codes of practice, and assurance arrangements. Work collaboratively across legal, policy, technical, regulatory and engagement workstreams. Support the wider work of the legal team.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

We are looking for a senior legal all-rounder who brings: A current New Zealand practising certificate, or eligibility to hold one. Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary team. Strong statutory interpretation, administrative law and legal risk management skills. Strong drafting skills, including preparing and reviewing secondary legislation. Experience in public law, regulatory design, infrastructure, local government, environmental law, natural resources or legislative implementation. Excellent judgement and the ability to provide clear, practical advice in a fast-moving project environment. Strong written communication skills and confidence working with non-legal audiences. Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Treaty settlement obligations in relation to water or a willingness to build capability in this area. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a framework that will shape the future of water services infrastructure across New Zealand. You will work on complex, meaningful legal and regulatory issues as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary project team. We welcome applications from candidates seeking part-time or flexible working arrangements and encourage you to talk with us about what flexibility could look like in this role.

Applications close midnight 8 October 2026. You must have a legal right to work in New Zealand.