Senior Ministerial Adviser

Job Description

Job Title : Senior Ministerial Adviser

Role type : Permanent, full time

Location : Wellington

Salary range : $100,934 to $118,005 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We're looking for a Senior Adviser to join our fun and fast-moving team at the forefront of our Government Services Directorate, working to support the Ministry and the Ministers' offices. The role is responsible for providing analysis and advice on Ministerial requests and correspondence, risk management and issues.

Our Senior Advisers undertake key processes which support ministerial servicing as well as identify and implement ways of building ministerial servicing capability. You'll support and mentor the advisers, work through complex situations, become a SME on Ministerial and Parliamentary processes, and hold strong relationships throughout the Ministry.

About You - Mōu

For this role, previous experience in a ministerial servicing or similar role, interpreting legislation and good knowledge and understanding of the structure of relevant statutes, rules and regulations are essential. You'll also need experience with risk assessment and issue management, excellent relationship management skills and well-honed analytical and problem-solving capability. While not essential, experience in responding to parliamentary and select committee questions and liaising with central agencies and officers of Parliament is preferred. Exceptional time management, organisational and communication skills will set you up well for success.

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The team is based in Wellington and works in a high-trust, dynamic environment with a flat hierarchy. You'll work closely with the Ministerials Manager and Director Government Services, collaborating on high-level mahi and knowing when and how to escalate. The Ministerials team core focus is to support the agency in providing high-quality, timely advice to our Ministers. Collaboration happens through regular check-ins, shared priorities, and a strong sense of trust and accountability. This team's mahi directly supports MPI's strategic direction by shaping advice and enabling effective government engagement.

About MPI - Mō Te Manatū Ahu Matua

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most sustainable provider of high-value food and primary products.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and / or apply online, please visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it

Applications close 11.59pm, Tuesday 07 October 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please email

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