Principal Advisor - Overseas Investment

• Fixed term opportunity until late June 2027
• The preferred location is Wellington however it is possible to be based in Christchurch for the right candidate.
• Lead overseas investment assessments, provide expert regulatory advice, and drive improvements in a high-impact Principal Advisor role.

Korero mo te turanga - About the role

Join our Overseas Investment team as a Principal Advisor

We are looking for a Principal Advisor to join our skilled and friendly Overseas Investment team on a fixed term basis until late June 2027. This role is a great opportunity to apply your strong regulatory knowledge, commercial skills, and technical leadership to support the Crown with high-quality advice.

Toitu Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand is the regulator for the Overseas Investment Act 2005. We assess applications from overseas investors who want to buy sensitive assets. We also enforce the law to make sure investors:

• get consent when required
• provide accurate and complete information
• meet the commitments they agreed to when they were granted consent.

About the role

This role sits in the Assessment group, which is responsible for assessing applications under the Overseas Investment Act and making clearance decisions under the Public Works Act.

As a Principal Advisor, you will:

• lead process improvements
• lead the delivery of assessment work
• work with applicants and their advisors to help them understand the rules
• share your knowledge to help grow technical expertise in the team
• provide thought leadership.

You will also identify and manage risks, challenges, and complex issues in applications. There are also opportunities to use your expertise to assist with the delivery of the wider Assessment group's work.

He pukenga tou - Skills & Experience

We are looking for someone with a strong mix of skills, including:

• Relevant tertiary degree in law, economics or a relevant field.
• A legal background or experience interpreting complex legislation in a regulatory context.
• Experience working with Ministers or in similar environments.
• Experience giving advice to leadership and assessors on complex issues.
• Strong leadership skills, including coaching and mentoring team members.
• Excellent communication skills, such as giving constructive feedback and building trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Ministers and their staff.
• Previous experience working in the overseas investment regime would be an advantage.
• A good understanding of corporate ownership and control structures is preferred.

The expected appointing range for this role is $140,000 to $150,000 depending on skills and experience.

Nga mea e tukuna ana e tatau - What we offer our employees

• Interesting work which impacts Aotearoa as we care for whenua, moana and arawai.
• Wellbeing allowance reimbursement
• Ability to purchase additional leave
• Annual Flu Vaccinations
• Reduced Health Insurance Premiums
• Diverse groups and networks
• If eligible for paid parental leave, you will be entitled to a top up payment for the first 18 weeks of the 26 weeks.
• A minimum of four weeks and three days annual leave

Te Takinatanga - Our Story

Toitu Te Whenua plays a vital role in understanding, developing, and caring for New Zealand's whenua, moana and arawai (land, sea and waterways). Whether you're developing our products and services to support our customers, managing the Crown estate, engaging with our iwi partners, or helping us be an effective regulator, your contribution can make a difference. Our mahi helps New Zealanders have confidence that the development of our land, communities and country is being planned from an informed and expert position that balances environmental, social, cultural, and economic considerations, now and for future generations.

Our Kia Toipoto Intentions - Public Service Gender, Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Pay Gap Action Plan

Toitu Te Whenua is a diverse team of individuals with different experience and perspectives. This drives our culture and high performance. We know that people from underrepresented groups and women in particular don't apply for roles if they're not a 100% match, but we're not looking for perfection, we're looking for potential. As an inclusive and supportive employer, we value difference and want to encourage anyone interested to apply, regardless of whether you tick all the boxes or not. As an organisation we embrace diversity, encourage work life balance and have a flexible approach to the way we work which means you will quickly feel connected and valued.

Tono mai - How to Apply

If you're eyeing up this role and believe you've got what it takes, please apply, or get in touch with the team.

To apply, please click "Apply Online." You'll be taken through to our Toitu Te Whenua Careers Centre where you'll be able to review further information about the responsibilities and accountabilities of this role in the Position Description. You'll be able to complete your online application form and upload a copy of your CV/Cover Letter.

Please note, while applications close on Sunday, 5 July 2026 we may be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position.

For tracking and evaluation purposes, all applications must be submitted via our on-line process. You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be eligible for this position.

You may notice that the Position Description title for this role (Customer Regulatory Specialist - Matanga Ture Kiritaki - Wha - role profile) doesn't match the advertised title. At Toitu Te Whenua we design our roles around shared capabilities (rather than focusing on tasks). This means our position descriptions are broad, one position description can cover many roles, this is known as Broad Based Role (BBR). Using BBR allows us to be responsive to our customers and to strengthen the connections across our organisation. It also gives us the flexibility to provide wider opportunities to our people, to further their careers.

If you have any questions about this role or working at Toitu Te Whenua, please email [email protected] and our People Services Team will be in touch with you.