Senior Solicitor (NEDS)

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

Job summary

Taumata Arowai invites applications for a Senior Solicitor (NEDS) in Wellington. This fixed-term role runs through December 2027 and supports a nationally significant regulatory framework for water services infrastructure under the Water Services Act 2021.

You will advise on statutory powers, risk and compliance, draft secondary legislation, and collaborate with policy, engineering, and engagement teams to shape the standards and assurance arrangements across drinking water, wastewater, and

Qualifications

• Current New Zealand practising certificate, or eligibility to hold one.
• Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong drafting skills, including secondary legislation drafting.
• Experience in public law, regulatory design, infrastructure, environmental law, natural resources or legislative implementation.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Statutory interpretation

Administrative law

Legal risk management

Drafting skills

Public law

Regulatory design

Infrastructure

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Job description

# Senior Solicitor (NEDS) at Taumata Arowai, Wellington - Wairarapa## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this roleHelp shape a nationally significant legal framework for New Zealand's water infrastructure in this collaborative senior legal role **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** 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 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: | Fixed Term Contract || Category: | Legal & courts || Date listed: | 24-Sep-2026 || Salary range: | $119,791 - $153,066 || Closing date: | 08-Oct-2026 || Reference: | NZ/1949234 || Attachment: | Position Description - Senior Solicitor.pdf (PDF, 321KB) || File links: | || Website: | https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz |