Chief Legal Advisor

• Lead a Legal team that helps safeguard New Zealand’s border and supports growth through trade and travel.
• Provide trusted legal advice for successful strategic decision-making and operational delivery.
• Lead the Customs Legal team and shape organisational priorities.
• Work closely with senior leaders across Customs and the wider government to deliver meaningful impact.

NZ Customs is seeking a Chief Legal Advisor. This is a permanent, full-time opportunity based in Wellington.

In this pivotal role, you will provide strategic legal advice to Customs’ Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Policy, Legal and Strategy, the Customs Executive Board, and senior leaders across Customs. As Chief Legal Advisor, you will bring deep government expertise, commercial judgement and strategic insight to partner with stakeholders across Customs and the wider border sector, while leading the Customs Legal Team and contributing to organisational objectives through strong leadership and management.

About This Role And Key Responsibilities…

You will lead and oversee the delivery of legal advice and representation across Customs, ensuring the organisation has the legal support it needs to lawfully deliver on Customs’ Strategy, Ministerial priorities and wider Government objectives. You will be responsible for quality legal advice covering a wide range of areas, including commercial, public policy, enforcement and revenue. The role also includes leading the Customs Legal function to a high standard of performance, developing team capability, applying a whole-of-border and whole-of-government approach, and contributing to Customs’ regulatory stewardship through the monitoring and review of legislative settings.

We’re looking for someone with…

• Proven success in a senior legal leadership role.
• A qualified Solicitor with a current practising certificate and significant experience leading legal and legislative strategy across a broad legal portfolio.
• Proven strategic thinking at a high level, particularly working in a legal context and wider border environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles and conventions of government and the legal and politically neutral whole of government basis on which the New Zealand State Service operates.
• Strong business and people management skills, with the ability to drive customer service, innovation and productivity.
• Demonstrated commitment to the delivery of high-quality legal services through continuous improvement, team and individual development.
• Demonstrated strength in translating organisational priorities into clear goals, strategies and plans that deliver results.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to build clarity, confidence and buy-in with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to identify issues, manage risk and implement innovative solutions aligned to strategic direction.
• Good working knowledge and understanding of Māori culture, Tikanga and the Treaty of Waitangi.
• Evidence of developing and maintaining excellent working relationships, networks and partnerships with key stakeholders within Customs and with other government agencies and industry.
• A security clearance to a "Top Secret" level is required for this position.

Working at Customs

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At Customs, you’ll have access to on-the-job learning, formal training, leadership development and opportunities to move across a diverse range of roles. We foster an inclusive, supportive environment with active social and cultural groups, and offer flexible working within operational requirements. Our people also enjoy discounted health insurance, free on-site gyms in some locations, and three additional service leave days on top of four weeks’ annual leave.

How to apply

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To join Customs in any role you must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident* and be able to obtain and maintain an Organisational Security clearance. This role requires the successful applicant to obtain and maintain security clearance to Top Secret level.

(*) A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last ten years, (including ten years ago from the date of this application) and resides in New Zealand at time of application.

OR

A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last ten years, (including ten years ago from the date of this application) and resides in New Zealand at time of application who has travelled out of New Zealand for short periods of time i.e. < 6 months in one of the following countries: Australia, United Kingdom, United States or Canada and can provide police certificates from those countries for the period of absence.

Because of the nature of Customs’ work you must have a clear Police record. Organisational security clearances are mandatory and are conducted by Customs. You will also be required to pass a drug test.

Click on the apply button to submit your application.

To express your interest, please apply online with an up-to-date CV and cover letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role. For further information, please view the attached position description or contact Suzanne Leahy (Senior Corporate Recruitment Advisor) at ***email_hidden***.

Deadline for applications is 11pm, Wednesday 17 June 2026.

We encourage prompt application for this role as we will be shortlisting applications as they are received and may close the role earlier than the above closing date.

Please note Customs will be managing this recruitment independently in-house and will not be engaging with recruitment agencies at this stage.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.