A rare opportunity has arisen for multiple experienced lawyers to join a large public sector organisation in a Senior Lawyer capacity, supporting a specialist Policy and Legislation function. These roles sit within a collaborative national team which works closely with policy, operational and service delivery functions, supporting work that has a direct impact on communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. With multiple roles available, there is scope to contribute to both core legal advisory work and significant future-focused reform programmes involving large-scale system and service transformation.

These roles can be based in Wellington (preferred), Auckland or Christchurch, and may suit lawyers who are interested in the intersection of law, policy, public administration and complex regulatory systems.

As Senior Lawyer, you will provide practical, high-quality legal advice across a broad range of policy, legislative and operational matters. The work is likely to include advising on public law and operational issues, supporting regulatory reform and policy development processes, contributing to legislative projects, and assisting with the management of legal risk in a complex and high-profile environment. For some roles, there will be a particular focus on significant transformation work involving changes to systems, services and policy settings. For others, the focus will be on ongoing advisory and legislative work across established regulatory frameworks.

You will also help support and develop more junior lawyers, contribute to the quality and capability of the wider team, and build effective relationships across the organisation.

The environment is intellectually challenging, collaborative and fast-moving, requiring strong communication skills and the ability to navigate complexity with confidence.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A Bachelor of Laws and a current practising certificate (or eligibility to get one);
• A minimum of 4 years’ post‑qualification experience, including experience advising on policy, legislation or operational legal matters within a public sector environment;
• An understanding of legislative processes, and experience supporting policy development or legislative processes in government;
• The ability to deliver high-quality legal advice in politically sensitive and complex environments;
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills; and
• The capability to work collaboratively and to mentor and support more junior legal colleagues.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so we encourage you to apply promptly.

For further information or a confidential discussion about these roles, please contact Katy Elliott on 021 483 490 (katy.elliott@nicherecruitment.co.nz).