Job Description

About the role

Work at the heart of Executive Government supporting Hon Erica Stanford, Minister of Education, Minister of Immigration, and Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to Abuse in Care. You’ll shape proactive, high‑impact narratives and manage issues across complex portfolios, front‑footing the media cycle from Parliament.

This is a fast‑paced ministerial environment where sitting weeks, travel, and public engagements demand agility, discretion, and excellent judgement.

Key responsibilities

• Strategic communications leadership: Develop and deliver a proactive communications plan that advances the Minister’s priorities; anticipate stories and shape the narrative before it lands.
• Press gallery and stakeholder engagement: Build trusted relationships with journalists and producers; manage interview bids, briefings, and on‑the‑day logistics; ensure “no surprises” by liaising with portfolio agencies, Crown entities, and the Prime Minister’s press team.
• Content and messaging: Draft speeches, press releases, Q&As, talking points, social content and Beehive copy; ensure message discipline across channels and platforms.
• Issue and risk management: Monitor news and sentiment, identify misinformation and emerging risks, coordinate timely responses and corrections with officials and the political team.
• Ministerial processes: Support responses to Oral and Written Parliamentary Questions and, where appropriate, Official Information Act (OIA) requests, working within Cabinet Manual conventions and OIA guidance.
• Office integration and mentoring: Work closely with the Senior Private Secretary, Private Secretaries and Advisors to integrate comms with the Minister’s programme; coach junior team members on media craft as needed.

About you

• Media/PR experience: Significant experience in journalism, communications or public affairs crafting compelling stories that move public opinion.
• Political judgement: Deep understanding of the NZ political and media landscape; able to operate with discretion under pressure and make sound calls at pace.
• Exceptional writer and media coach: You can tailor your writing for different audiences and can prep a Minister for interviews with confidence.
• Digital fluency: Comfortable building reach and engagement across digital channels, aligning with government frameworks and good practice.
• Process aware: Familiar with OIA principles, Cabinet Manual conventions, and the “no surprises” approach with agencies.

You’ll be part of a tight‑knit, trusted team at the centre of government, with a unique platform to communicate policies and initiatives across Education and Immigration, work that directly impacts learners, families, businesses and communities nationwide.

This is an events-based position based on a 3-year parliamentary term. The salary band for this role is $152,955 - $190,344 per annum, with starting salaries reflecting relevant skills and experience, as well as internal parity.

About us

Ministerial Resourcing is the team within the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) responsible for ensuring Ministers’ offices are suitably resourced with a range of highly skilled staff, who, in turn, provide a high level of support to the Minister, and ensure the smooth day to day running of their office.

As a Ministerial office staff member, you will be employed by DIA, and supported by our dedicated team of Portfolio Managers. Our purpose is to serve and connect people, communities and Government to build a safe, prosperous and respected nation. In other words, it’s all about helping to make New Zealand better for New Zealanders.

Interested? Apply today!

Please note applicants must be Permanent Residents or NZ Citizens and are required to obtain and maintain a national security clearance at a Top Secret or above. Prior to applying please assess your eligibility status using the Protective Security Requirements tool found here: https://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/personnel-security/clearances/eligibility-tool/

Applications close 5pm, 19 December 2025 For more information, please contact Cameron.Parker@dia.govt.nz

To review the full job description, please click here.

At the Department of Internal Affairs, the work we do makes New Zealand a better place for those born here, and those new New Zealanders who have chosen to call this country home.