Principal Advisor

• Lead expert advice on ministerial servicing and business management
• Deliver timely, accurate advice to Ministers and senior leaders
• Support team capability and ensure consistent, high-quality outputs
• Salary range $101,911 - $121,196 + KiwiSaver + wellness benefits
• Permanent full time | Wellington based

The Principal Advisor - Ministerial Services is a senior specialist role within Immigration New Zealand (INZ), responsible for providing expert advice and leadership across ministerial servicing, business management, and accountability processes.

You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of accurate, timely, and objective information and advice to Ministers, senior INZ officials, and the wider Ministry. As the lead advisor to the Manager Ministerial Services, you will also help build the capability of the Ministerial Services team and ensure consistency and quality in all outputs.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-level technical advice on ministerial servicing and machinery of government processes, including Official Information Act requests and Parliamentary Questions, Annual Review and other government accountability processes.
• Act as a key escalation point for complex or sensitive matters.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across business planning, performance, and reporting systems.
• Support the Manager Ministerial Services in developing team capability and best practice frameworks.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support effective service delivery.

• Deep understanding of ministerial servicing and machinery of government processes
• Strong knowledge of business planning, performance reporting, and accountability frameworks
• Strong background in delivery of Official Information Act requests - including Ministerial OIAs, Parliamentary Questions - including Oral Questions, and Ministerial correspondence.
• Proven experience improving operational planning and reporting systems
• Excellent communication skills, including presenting complex ideas clearly
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement and managing sensitive issues
• Politically astute with the ability to anticipate and manage risk
• Trusted advisor with experience mentoring and supporting teams
• Organised, proactive, and focused on delivering high-quality outcomes

To be eligible for this role you will need to either hold New Zealand citizenship or a New Zealand Permanent Residence class visa.

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
• Maia - Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi - Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika - Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Maori identity - Hikina Whakatutuki - which broadly means `lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Maori 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, Maori, other Maori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Maori 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 Maori 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 mohio ana a Hikina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kotuinga I waenganui i a ngai Maori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a, kei te whai ia ki te whakau ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ma te whai kiko o nga kotuinga ahungaroa o ngai wi, o ngai Maori, me etahi atu ropu Maori ki te Karauna, katutuki tenei. He ahuatanga nui tenei e ahei ai nga mahi whanaketanga a-ohanga, a-papori hoki ki a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui. E whai tonu ana matou ki te kotui atu ki nga iwi mo te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i nga kaupapakua roa nei e tami ana i a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui, a, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i nga aheinga kokiritanga ma nga iwi, me te tautoko i nga iwi kia whai mana ake ai enei aheinga.

Click here to view a position description.

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Email Dorinda Te Kiri at dorinda.tekiri@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/18164 if you have any further questions.

Applications close 14 September 2025