Principal Minerals Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Bring your extensive work with the Minerals industry to help the Crown regulate well
• Play a lead role in relation to a wide range of complex Minerals permitting, policy and strategic work
• Salary $132,417 - $160,472 plus KiwiSaver and wellbeing allowance
• Wellington preferred, but Auckland or Christchurch will be considered
• Permanent full-time opportunity

Tenei turanga - About the Role

We are looking to recruit a very senior regulator to our Minerals team within New Zealand Petroleum Minerals (NZPM). This is your opportunity to bring your significant experience working in, or with, the Minerals industry to help NZPM regulate well.

In the role, you will:

• Lead complex permit applications;
• Contribute to the development of government policy about the management and allocation of New Zealand's minerals resources;
• Represent NZPM to industry representatives, and a range of other external stakeholders;
• Coach and mentor staff; and
• Lead projects on a range of topics including business improvement, strategy, and technical analysis

Nga pukenga me nga wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience Required

• 10+ years working in, or with, the Minerals industry, whether in New Zealand or offshore, including proven technical experience across the Minerals value chain. Experience in mining projects and/or resource estimation highly regarded
• A relevant tertiary qualification, for example in geology, earth sciences, environmental management, or engineering
• Experience working as a regulator or with regulators
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to work well with a range of people
• Advanced critical thinking, the ability to understand the strategic context and exercise judgement

You must have legal right to live and work in New Zealand

Etahi korero mo MBIE - About MBIE

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi - Better Together
• Maia - Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi - Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika - Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Maori identity - Hikina Whakatutuki - which broadly means `lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Maori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Maori, other Maori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Maori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Maori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mohio ana a Hikina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kotuinga I waenganui i a ngai Maori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a, kei te whai ia ki te whakau ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ma te whai kiko o nga kotuinga ahunga roa o nga iwi, o ngai Maori, me etahi atu ropu Maori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki tenei. He ahuatanga nui tenei e ahei ai nga mahi whanaketanga a-ohanga, a-papori hoki ki a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui. E whai tonu ana matou ki te kotui atu ki nga iwi mo te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i nga kaupapa kua roa nei e tami ana i a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui, a, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i nga aheinga kokiritanga ma nga iwi, me te tautoko i nga iwi kia whai mana ake ai enei aheinga.

Click here to view a position description.

All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

Email Monica Chow at ***email_hidden*** quoting ref MBIE/19697 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Sunday 28th June 2026, at 11:59pm.