Senior Solicitor at Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington City

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Job title: Senior Solicitor – Public Law

Role type: Permanent, Full time

Location: Wellington City

Salary band & range: General Salary Range (Band C) $119,376 to $160,026 (midpoint $139,700)  

 

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

This role is ideal for a senior lawyer (approximately 7+ PQE) with broad public law experience who enjoys providing advice on operational and legislative matters. You'll be confident working in a fast‑paced environment and motivated by being part of a high‑performing, collaborative legal team with a strong, supportive culture. This is a rare opportunity, with this role not having been vacant for six years!

 

The role sits within the Biosecurity and Animal Welfare Law team, part of the wider Legal Services Directorate. The work is varied, meaningful, and often urgent, ranging from biosecurity incident response and cross‑government collaboration to primary and secondary legislative development and litigation management. You'll contribute to protecting New Zealand from harmful organisms and supporting the health and welfare of animals.

 

You will primarily support Biosecurity New Zealand – Tiakitanga Pūtaiao Aotearoa, providing advice on the Biosecurity Act and related legislation, wider public law issues, and the development of departmental secondary legislation. You'll also advise teams delivering Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI's) animal welfare functions and support policy teams working on new biosecurity and animal welfare legislation.

 

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering public law advice across MPI's biosecurity and animal welfare functions
• Advising on legal powers, obligations, and the risks and benefits of policy and operational options
• Acting as legal lead on biosecurity incident and emergency responses
• Supporting the development of primary and secondary legislation, including drafting instructions for Parliamentary Counsel Office
• Working collaboratively with other government agencies, MPI legal teams, and business units
• Supporting, mentoring, and developing less experienced lawyers within the team

 

About You - Mōu

You bring experience advising on regulatory matters and legislative development, along with strong written and verbal communication skills. You take a collaborative and proactive approach to mahi, build relationships quickly, and are a proven problem solver who enjoys working as part of a team while also being comfortable working independently. You're keen to understand MPI's work, our clients, and the wider sector we operate in.

 

Experience advising within a government legal team is preferred, though relevant private‑sector experience is also valued. You'll be supported to participate in the Government Legal Network and Te Kura Huna, with dedicated time available, and will have access to learning and development opportunities within the team and the wider Legal Services Directorate.

 

You will bring:

• Experience advising on regulatory matters and supporting the development of legislation
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• A team‑focused attitude and willingness to step in where needed
• Ability to build strong relationships with MPI teams and clients, including Biosecurity New Zealand, animal welfare teams, and policy teams
• A law degree with a minimum of seven years' post‑qualification experience and a current NZLS practising certificate, or the ability to immediately obtain one

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

 

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Biosecurity and Animal Welfare Law team is made up of seven lawyers and a manager, all based in Wellington. We have a strong, well‑connected team culture and work closely together on interesting and meaningful legal issues that support MPI's mahi. The team is led by a knowledgeable and supportive manager who encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth.

 

We're known for being collegial, inclusive, and generous with our time, particularly when responding to urgent matters. We have a strong peer‑review culture, support each other to deliver high‑quality advice, and make space for ongoing learning and development. Team members are encouraged to participate in Government Legal Network activities, including professional and social events, and to build connections across the wider Legal Services Directorate and the broader legal sector.

 

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

 

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes

 

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

 

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

 

 

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

 

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

 

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

 

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

 

Applications close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026

 

If you have any questions about the role, please email Sophie.Hallett@mpi.govt.nz 

 

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