Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.

Success is not the work of one, but the work of many.

Job Description

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

Provide the strategic thinking that shapes Policy Group's delivery.

Job Description

Principal Advisor, Strategic Planning & Assurance - Wellington, Permanent Full Time

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.

Success is not the work of one, but the work of many.

We're looking for a permanent Principal Advisor, Planning and Assurance to lead the work programme of our Strategic Planning and Assurance Unit, bringing together planning, prioritisation, performance, risk, and assurance to give the Deputy Secretary and Policy Leadership Team a genuine whole-of-group view.

You’ll lead the Ministry's coordinated responses to Waitangi Tribunal inquiries, working at pace with Ministers' offices and Crown agencies on complex, sensitive issues, and you’ll coach and mentor others in the Unit along the way. You’ll also contribute to embedding stewardship across regulatory systems.

If you’ve got strong strategic thinking, genuine depth in Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori–Crown relationships, and the judgement to translate the bigger picture into delivery for senior audiences, we want to hear from you.

For the full picture of what this role involves, read the position description before you apply.

What's on offer -

- Real influence over how Policy Group plans, prioritises, and manages risk at a strategic level
- Direct engagement with the Deputy Secretary and Policy Leadership Team




- The chance to lead the Ministry's response to Waitangi Tribunal inquiries and shape Treaty-related practice across the Group

Ō Pūkenga/Skills And Experience

You’ll bring demonstrated experience leading a planning and assurance function, deep understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori–Crown relationships, a strategic systems approach with the ability to translate complexity for senior audiences, and experience coaching and mentoring more junior staff. A relevant tertiary qualification (or equivalent experience), advanced written and verbal communication skills, and the right to work in New Zealand are essential.

Mō Mātou/About Us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here

Advantages

- 4.4 weeks holiday leave
- an online professional development portal
- access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here.

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

Utu ā-tau/Salary

The appointing salary for this role will be between $130,129 and $168,062, and will be based on skills and experience.

Applications close Sunday 16 August 2026. We may review CVs as they come in and invite successful candidates to interview before the close date.

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📌 Principal Advisor, Strategic Planning and Assurance (Wellington)
🏢 Public Defence Service - New Zealand
📍 Wellington