Principal Advisor (Regulatory Support & Performance)

Principal Adviser (Regulatory Support & Performance)

Role type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Wellington City

Salary band & range: GSR Band C: $132,925 to $160,026 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

As Principal Adviser within Regulatory Support & Performance, you will operate at the centre of strategic decision-making in a highly regulated public sector environment. Partnering closely with senior leaders, you will shape priorities and provide advice that is grounded in a strong understanding of government legislation, regulatory frameworks, and public sector expectations.

This is a highly visible and influential role where your ability to interpret and apply legislation, policies, procedures, and codes of conduct will be essential to supporting robust, transparent, and compliant decision-making.

You will bring a strong system view, ensuring that strategy, performance, and delivery are aligned with statutory obligations and public sector accountability requirements. You'll help the Directorate anticipate risks, navigate complexity, and translate legislative and policy intent into practical, high-quality outcomes.

You will

• Provide trusted, strategic advice to the Director and leadership team, grounded in public sector legislation and regulatory frameworks
• Lead priority initiatives, ensuring alignment with government policies, processes, and standards of conduct
• Shape and review strategies, governance papers, and critical documents with a clear understanding of statutory and regulatory requirements
• Identify emerging risks, issues, and opportunities, including regulatory and compliance considerations across the system
• Ensure decision-making reflects best practice in public sector processes, integrity, and accountability
• Drive alignment and collaboration across NZ Food Safety and MPI within the wider machinery of government
• Close the loop on actions, ensuring delivery meets legislative, policy, and performance expectations

About You - Mōu

You are a confident, experienced adviser who understands how government works in practice. You are comfortable operating in complex, ambiguous environments and bring strong judgement, political awareness, and the ability to apply public sector frameworks to real-world decisions.

You have a deep appreciation of the legislative, policy, and regulatory environment and are skilled at navigating the expectations, obligations, and codes of conduct that underpin effective public service.

You build trust quickly with senior leaders and stakeholders, and you are known for providing clear, actionable advice that upholds public sector integrity and supports high-quality outcomes.

You bring

• Proven experience advising senior leaders within government or complex regulatory environments
• Strong knowledge and understanding of legislation, policies, procedures, and processes that govern the public sector
• Sound understanding of public sector codes of conduct, accountability, and decision-making frameworks
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply regulatory and legislative requirements to strategy and operations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels
• A collaborative style, with the ability to work across organisational boundaries and systems
• Experience in strategy, governance, risk, performance, or regulatory environments
• Awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Crown's obligations to Māori

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

Our directorate has a system-wide view of New Zealand Food Safety and its regulatory environment. We play a key role in administering and supporting the legislative and regulatory frameworks that underpin the food safety system, including cost recovery, registration, approvals, and regulatory advice.

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 trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Annual Wellness payment

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 on Tuesday 2 nd June 2026.

If you have any questions about the role, please email [email protected]

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