Senior Policy Advisor | Tourism Regions and Hospitality

New Zealand Government

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

; Work at the centre of the Government's Tourism growth plans, supporting delivery of the Tourism Roadmap
; Play a key role in enabling high-quality decision-making for senior leaders and Ministers
; Bring your strong judgement, analytical abilities and policy and communication skills to a fast-paced, high-impact environment
; Two-year fixed term/ secondment position | Wellington CBD location
; Salary: $110,098 - $138,028 + KiwiSaver + Wellness benefits

Tenei turanga - About the Role

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will play a critical role in supporting the effective delivery of the Government's Tourism growth priorities through providing high-quality policy advice and engaging with stakeholders.

You will work at the centre of the Tourism Data programme, developing policy advice and facilitating improvements in data and insights inputs across MBIE and other agencies to support senior officials and Ministers make clear actionable decisions.

You will:

Lead the tourism data work programme, ensuing our current tourism data products are fit for purpose. The work is a mixture of policy development and delivering data system improvements
Drive the progress and support quality-assurance of cross-agency inputs to deliver high-quality briefings, meeting materials and reporting
Identify risks, gaps and emerging issues, ensuring these are addressed ahead of any governance discussions

This is a role at the centre of a high-profile programme. It intersects policy, data and insights and stakeholder engagement, requiring sound judgement, political awareness, and the ability to deliver high-quality policy work effectively.

Come join us:

; Be at the heart of delivering one of the Government's priority programmes
; Work closely with senior leaders, Ministers' offices and cross-agency partners
; Gain exposure to system-level work shaping New Zealand's tourism future
; Be part of a high-performing, collaborative team
; Develop your career in a role that combines policy, data and analysis and delivery

If you're looking for a role where you can contribute to high-impact work at the centre of government, we'd love to hear from you.

Nga pukenga me nga wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required

We are looking for someone who operates confidently across multiple workstreams in a delivery-focused environment, bringing sound judgement, strong attention to detail, political awareness, and a collaborative approach to delivering high-quality outcomes.

We are keen to hear from you if you have:

; 5+ years of experience in a public sector policy or advisory - economic policy experience and/or an economics degree is a plus
; Experience working with data/research/evaluation and communicate findings effectively to stakeholders
; Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
; Strong written and oral communication skills, including preparing briefings and papers for senior audiences
; Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work across teams and agencies
; Sound judgement, an understanding of government processes and political awareness
; Experience working with senior officials and Ministers
; Experience undertaking policy analysis to inform advice or decision-making
; A proactive, adaptable mindset and a commitment to delivery
; Familiarity with quantitative data and the ability to interpret data and evidence to generate insights is desirable, but not essential

At time of application, you must have the 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.

When you are ready to apply please submit your CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role. All applications must be submitted via our online process.

Email Fati Tagata at ***email_hidden*** quoting ref MBIE/19723 if you have any further questions.

Applications close Monday 6 July 2026.