Solicitor | Poutoko Ture

Te Puni Kōkiri; Wellington; On-site; NZD 87,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Te Puni Kōkiri invites applications for a Solicitor in Wellington to join the Legal Services team. You will work alongside the Manager, Legal Services to provide timely, robust legal advice to the Minister and across the organisation.

You will handle ministerial powers, Treaty obligations, legislation reviews affecting Māori, and contract drafting. A strong foundation in te Tiriti o Waitangi and tikanga is essential.

Qualifications

• You will have a law degree and are eligible to hold a practicing certificate.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• High standards of analytical, written and oral communication.
• Ability to provide accurate and relevant legal advice.
• Understanding te ao Māori and comfort with tikanga.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal advice across kaupapa including ministerial powers, legislative compliance, Treaty settlements and Māori Crown relationships.
• Review legislation impacting Māori.
• Draft contracts and legal documents.
• Participate in law reform, policy development and programme initiatives.
• Advise on the Privacy Act 2020, Official Information Act 1982 and other statutory matters.
• Assist with administration of Māori Trust Boards and other Te Puni Kōkiri legislation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Te ao Māori understanding

Education

Law degree

Eligible to hold practicing certificate

Job description

• Opportunity for a recent law graduate, keen to learn and grow
• Join a high performing legal team, providing advice
• Full Time, Permanent opportunity based in Te Tari Matua, Pōneke | National Office, Wellington

Our Legal services team is looking for a Poutoko Ture, Ngā Ratonga Ture | Solicitor, Legal Services. This works alongside the Manager, Legal Services and the Legal Services team, to provide timely, high quality and robust legal advice to the Minister and across the organisation.

Te whai wāhitanga | The opportunity

This role is part of a team of 8 and is based in Te Tari Matua, Pōneke.

You will provide high-quality legal advice across various kaupapa which will include:

• Ministerial powers and responsibilities and constitutional conventions.
• Legislative compliance, Treaty settlements and Māori Crown relationships.
• The review of legislation impacting Māori
• Drafting contracts and other legal documentation
• Participating in law reform initiatives, policy development and programme initiatives
• Advice on the Privacy Act 2020, the Official Information Act 1982 and other general statutory compliance matters
• Assisting with the administration of Māori Trust Boards and other legislation administered by Te Puni Kōkiri

The likely appointment range for this role is between $87,413 and $97,126 per annum based on the successful candidate's skills and experience.

For more information about the skills and experience required for this position, please see the job description below.

Mōu | About you

Resilient and dedicated, you are someone who has an understanding of the role of Te Puni Kōkiri and significant issues prevalent in the area of Māori affairs.

You will have:

• A law degree and are eligible to hold a practicing certificate.
• An understanding of the legal implications of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• High standards of analytical, written and oral communication.
• The ability to provide accurate and relevant legal advice.
• An understanding of te ao Māori and are comfortable in situations where tikanga is observed.

Tāu e whai ai | What you will get in return

Te Puni Kōkiri is a diverse and rewarding working environment full of passionate kaimahi focused on creating solutions that will help our communities. We are guided by our values of te wero, manaakitanga, he toa takitini and ture tangata.

There is more to life than just work and we encourage our kaimahi to maintain the right balance between mahi and their personal lives. Your whānau is just as important as you, so we're committed to providing incentives and opportunities that help our kaimahi and their whānau to thrive, including:

• A range of allowances including childcare, optical, hauora/wellbeing and te reo Māori proficiency
• Medical insurance discounts
• Flexible working options
• In house te reo Māori training
• Kaimahi development and career options, including study assistance
• Enhanced parental leave provisions

Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development

We are committed to our vision of 'Thriving Whānau' - when whānau are thriving, so do their communities, hapū, iwi and all of Aotearoa. Te Puni Kōkiri leads policy advice to the Government on Māori development, and Iwi and Māori relations with the Crown. Our people are at the heart of the work we do – using our approaches to improve outcomes to, for and with Māori, and to drive our efforts to build an Aotearoa where whānau can all stand, thrive and belong.

Find out more about Our Story

We invite applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We believe that diversity fuels innovation and enriches our collective strength. Your unique perspectives, skills, and heritage contribute to our mission of advancing Māori aspirations and well-being.