Principal Adviser

Job DescriptionPrincipal Adviser (Forestry System)Role type: Permanent, full-time preferredLocation: WellingtonSalary band & range: General Salary Range C: $119,376 to $139,700 depending on skills and experienceAbout The Role – Kōrero Mō Te TūrangaAre you ready to help us shape the future of New Zealand's forestry and wood processing sector?Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service is seeking a strategic and experienced Principal Adviser to lead high-impact policy and regulatory initiatives that support diverse economic opportunities, benefits that communities derive from ecosystems, and resilience to climate change.

This newly established position sits within a fast-paced, delivery-focused team working at the intersection of policy and regulation. You'll lead complex workstreams, provide evidence-based advice to Ministers and senior leaders, and foster strategic development across the forestry system. The key responsibilities are to: Lead the development of regulatory and operational policy across forestry, wood processing, land use, and climate change. Drive strategic outcomes through systems thinking, regulatory stewardship, and cross-agency collaboration. Coach and mentor staff, contributing to team capability, and continuous improvement. Promote Te Tiriti – Crown relations and integrating Te Ao Māori perspectives into regulatory frameworks.

Lead projects such as ETS efficiencies, cost recovery, and farmland conversion incentives. About You – MōuYou bring extensive experience in policy, regulation, and government processes, with a strong understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles. You are confident navigating complex regulatory systems, supporting legislation drafting, producing high-quality advice, and using your strong written and verbal communication skills for different audiences. Your ability to analyse problems, assess regulatory impacts, and communicate clearly makes you a trusted adviser. You have significant technical experience in:

writing high-quality government agency papers and documentsleading projects/analysis and providing mentoring and guidance to analystsquickly assessing and understanding the nature of problems, identify a range of solutions, and clearly communicating their impacts. building and maintaining trusting relationships with a range of different stakeholdersconsidering the broader political environment and wider government objectives in your advicemaking timely and informed decisions and be comfortable proceeding with uncertainty and ambiguityproviding thought leadership, to drive work programmes and deliver results. 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 would be a great fit. About The Team – Mō Tō Mātou RōpūYou will be based in our Wellington office, reporting to the Manager Operational Policy – Forestry Incentives. You'll be working within a collaborative, fast-paced team focused on delivering efficient, fit-for-purpose regulatory advice made up of 3 Analysts, 3 Senior Analysts, a Policy Lead and manager. The team are all based in wellington and work closely, often contributing across different workstreams, making use of shared knowledge and peer review.

You will work across the wider team, Forestry System Directorate, MPI and external agencies. Your work will contribute to initiatives across the end-to-end forestry and wood-processing supply chain, with a focus on the Emissions Trading Scheme for forestry. About MPI – Mō Te Manatū Ahu MatuaWe're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

Benefits of working at MPI – Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu MatuaBi-annual paid eye testAdditional MPI leave days Access to free professional confidential counsellingSecurity checks – Ngā Taki WhakahaumaruLow level Security Clearancemost preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, ORis a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years:

either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level. click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool. If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

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 click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at 11: 59pm Wednesday 13 August 2025If you have any questions about the role, please email Guy. Kershaw@mpi. govt. nz