Job Description

• Permanent, full-time, Wellington or Palmerston North

• Be a part of a high performing, collaborative and supportive team

• Make a difference to all New Zealanders

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is looking for a Senior Ministerial Advisor who can join the team and hit the ground running. We manage a large, challenging and diverse workload and are looking for a Senior Advisor with a number of years of Ministerial, or similar, advisory experience ready to get involved.

The purpose of this role is to provide ministerial and parliamentary expertise and technical knowledge that delivers high quality timely advice and services to Ministers, senior leaders and staff across NZTA. This includes managing and drafting responses to all official, ministerial and parliamentary requests for information on behalf of NZTA.

To view a copy of the position description, click here

Ko koe tēnei | About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Extensive knowledge of the machinery of government and an understanding of the OIA and Privacy Act

• Highly developed research and analytical skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills – experience in writing in plain English

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining consistently high standards

• Ability to work under pressure without compromising quality, including managing demanding workloads and competing priorities

• Sound judgement and ability to manage risk appropriately

• Sound relationship management and negotiation skills

• Ability to function independently and as part of a team

• Experience working/communicating with the office of a Minister

• Relevant previous experience in the NZ public sector with proven experience in a ministerial servicing or a closely related role

• Experience in and/or understanding of leading projects

• Ability to translate complex technical information into clear, concise, plain English

• Superior relationship management and negotiation skills

• Act as a coach and mentor for junior team members

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector.

Ko wai mātou | About us

At NZTA, it all starts with our people. The organisation's performance and success depends on the people who choose to make this a great place to work and make a difference for New Zealand. NZTA has a strong future focus, understanding that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system we know today will not be the one we deliver in ten years time.

Te Waka Kōtuia Engagement and Partnerships Group is accountable for navigating NZTA’s journey by building strong relationships with all stakeholders, telling great stories to achieve outcomes and change and managing our reputation.

Ministerial Services works with other NZTA business units to meet the organisation’s ministerial servicing and legislative requirements. We are the key interface between the Minister of Transport and Associate Ministers, members of the public and other government organisations, responsible for maintaining NZTA’s reputation by ensuring that work is of the highest quality, within the required timeframes and meets the needs of our customers. We are the experts in providing advice and support to the wider organisation on machinery of government and parliamentary processes.

Along with our other benefits we also have new NZTA Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance scheme available for permanent employees.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

14 July 2026

For further information, email: careers@nzta.govt.nz

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.