Principal/Senior/Advisor Policy - Resource Management (multiple roles)

Fixed Term or Secondment opportunities to June 2026

Mo te turanga mahi | About the roles

The Ministry for the Environment is undertaking significant work on the replacement of the RMA (RM Reform Phase 3) and national direction for the new system. The urgency and scale of this work is driven by Government commitments to deliver national direction under the RMA and introduce replacement legislation by the end of 2025 alongside the development of national direction to support the new system.

The Environmental Management and Adaptation Group within the Ministry is looking for experienced Principal, Senior and Advisor level policy specialists to support this work. The work involves helping to deliver high quality, evidence-based policy advice to Ministers, preparing national direction under the RMA, working with select committee to actively support the legislative process, testing the practicalities of the proposed new system and developing new national direction including standardised planning zones for the new resource management system.

There are roles at various levels and within a number of teams across the business group including:

RM Policy Phase 3 National Direction: this team is focused on the design of the national direction framework under the new resource management system. The key roles include leading the design of the new national direction framework, drafting some pieces of national direction for the new system and strategic oversight to ensure policy cohesion and support for the primary legislation drafting and select committee.

Phase 3 Planning Act: this team will lead the select committee process for the proposed Planning Bill to replace the RMA, working alongside the Natural Environment and Spatial Planning teams. The roles are highly varied, and will include supporting bill development, submissions analysis and select committee processes.

RM Policy Phase 2 (RMA) National Direction: this team is focused on delivering national direction under the RMA. Key roles include oversight of the national direction process under the RMA to ensure statutory requirements are met, providing planning and policy advice to the Minster and policy teams to deliver multiple national direction instruments under the RMA, supporting the transition of national direction to the new resource management system.

Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experience

Our ideal candidates will bring a combination of the skills and experience below, at various levels depending on the role:

• experience in development of legislation and working with Parliamentary Counsel Office in the legislative and/or regulations drafting process
• experienced in working with Select Committees / familiar with select committee process
• an applied understanding of the constitutional roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government
• an understanding of Te Tiriti, the Crown's obligations under Te Tiriti, and MfE's role as a treaty partner
• experience in policy/ leading policy and the development of core policy documents
• knowledge of the resource management system, including the consenting process
• knowledge of regulation-making processes and ideally national direction under the RMA and its impact
• understanding of planning standards, standardised zones and their application
• the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• clear and succinct written and oral communication
• relationship management skills and the ability to partner with others to deliver
• knowledge of Machinery of Government and how to `get things done'

Whanuitanga Utu a-Tau | Salary range

Advisor: $79,598 to $96,372 pa

Senior: $108,976 to $132,277 pa

Principal: $140,222 to $170,467 pa

Appointment within the range will be based on skills and experience.

Nga hua ka puta i te mahi ki MfE | Benefits of working at MfE

• a flexible working approach to embrace a healthy work-life blend
• agile ways of working, allowing you variety and challenges across the organisation as we work as `One MfE'
• active employee networks including Maori Ropu, Asian Network, Neurodivergent and Disability Networks, Women's Network, Tagata Moana (Pacific Peoples' Network), and Rainbow Network
• opportunities for development and education.

Check out other benefits of joining us and hear what our people say about Working at MfE | Ministry for the Environment.

Tono inaianei | Apply now

Note: due to the high workloads associated with the RM Reform programme, applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the hiring panel will commence interviews prior to the closing date.

If you require further information about the positions please contact Ngaire Howes at [email protected]. The position descriptions are available via our careers centre www.mfe.govt.nz/jobs.

The location is flexible which means you can work anywhere in New Zealand and there is an option to work from home. As a flexible friendly employer, we are happy to discuss solutions that may work for you and the business. We value and care about enabling our people to work in a way that means they can work at their best.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and actively strive to be a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture. We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We are proud to be a Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick certified organisation and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

We want to ensure any accessibility needs you may have are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Therefore, please let us know if there are any adjustments or support we can offer to make the recruitment process more accessible to you. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.

Ra Katinga | Applications close: Monday, 11 August 2025