Principal Policy

About Us | Mo matou

The purpose of the Government Inquiry into the Fatal Landslides in Tauranga is to establish how the fatal landslides occurred, report on whether relevant agencies took appropriate steps to manage any apparent risk in the period immediately prior to the two fatal landslides, including steps to warn and evacuate people likely to be affected by the landslides, and identify any lessons that can be applied to reduce the risk of similar tragedies in future.

The role | Te tunga

We are establishing a specialist policy team on a fixed term or secondment basis through to late November 2026. They will be responsible for providing high quality, evidence-based advice and information to the Members and the Inquiry Leadership team.

We are especially interested in policy specialists who have a deep background and knowledge in Natural Hazards and/or Emergency Management who have the capability to work on complex and wide-ranging subject matter developing and delivering exceptional policy and research advice.

These are senior roles where you will have the opportunity to test, and challenge thinking, introduce new ideas and provide guidance around the development and use of evidence and/or analytical frameworks.

You will be confident communicator and natural connector, comfortable influencing at senior levels. Politically savvy, you will know how to navigate complex environments, anticipating risks and future issues providing innovative solutions and options.

What you bring | Nou te rourou

• Deep policy and legislation expertise.
• Strategic leadership and judgement, with a proven ability to provide authoritative, evidence-based advice to senior leaders on complex and high-risk issues.
• Strong analytical and conceptual capability, leading the development and use of conceptual frameworks and principles as a base for policy and/or legislative reviews
• Influential stakeholder engagement skills, with experience leading public and stakeholder consultation on major policy reviews and government initiatives
• Policy project leadership and delivery focus, with ability to manage multiple interrelated workstreams and deliver quality outcomes in a dynamic environment.

For you | Mou

At the Department of Internal Affairs, we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice, while being able to set and achieve goals and being encouraged to challenge the status quo.

To learn more about the diverse, important mahi we do at the Department and see why we're a great place to work check out our website https://www.dia.govt.nz/

Benefits - About Internal Affairs - Careers with us - Benefits - dia.govt.nz

The salary appointing range for this role $129,510 - $161,167.

To review the position description, please click here.

How to apply'| Me pehea te tuku tono

We are unable to accept applications via email. Please click the apply button to submit your application.

We're committed to ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. Please reach out to our recruitment team below if there is any support we can provide to ensure the process is accessible to you.

Applications for this role close 5pm, Monday 1 st June 2026. Please also note that you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

If you have any questions, please email Jo Attewell - [email protected]