Senior Advisor or Advisor, Correspondence, Reviews and Ministerial Servicing at New Zealand Customs Service, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Step into a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same
• Enjoy a competitive salary package, plus three additional Customs leave days
• Wellington-based with flexible working options to support balance and wellbeing
• Join a high-performing team known for its strong culture, collaboration and support

The New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) protects and promotes New Zealand through world-class border management. We are seeking a highly motivated individual for the role of Senior Advisor or Advisor, Correspondence, Review and Ministerial Advisor, based at the Wellington Customhouse in the Correspondence, Reviews and Ministerial Servicing team within the International and Governance Group.

This is a great opportunity to step into a role that offers hands-on analysis experience and influence across almost every part of Customs. You will help shape how the organisation is viewed externally, supporting Customs in its role of protecting and promoting New Zealand at the border while reducing harm to our communities and economy.

This team plays a unique role within Customs, acting as the link between the agency and the Minister’s Office. Being part of the team will give you a well-rounded understanding of the important work undertaken by Customs, its many functions and operations. This role will enable you to expand your skill set while working in a varied and multifaceted environment, where decisions are made that impact the lives of everyday New Zealanders.

As a smaller agency, there is ample opportunity for exposure across Customs in your day-to-day work, including engaging with senior staff and sitting in on meetings with other business units as part of the team’s stakeholder engagement. The role also provides a strong career pathway for gaining experience towards a policy analyst role within the Policy Group and/or the International Policy Team.

• The ideal person for this role will be politically savvy and comfortable dealing directly with a range of staff, business units and senior managers.
• Ideally, you will have worked in a Ministerial Services team previously or have experience working at Parliament and be familiar with the machinery of government and parliamentary processes.
• You will also need some knowledge of how to interpret legislation.
• Experience producing high-quality responses to Ministerial correspondence, Written Parliamentary Questions, Official Information Act and Privacy Act requests, and compiling the Minister’s Weekly Report would be desirable.

Your relationship management skills will be important in this role. Building strong connections across the organisation and externally, including with the Minister's Office, will be key to gathering the right information. We are looking for someone who can identify the focus of challenging and broad questions, and who has highly effective written and verbal communication skills. Given the high workload, strong time management and the ability to prioritise effectively are essential.

Team dynamics are an important part of building a highly effective team in a high-pressure environment. We are therefore looking for someone who demonstrates a can-do attitude, is a positive role model, takes initiative, and can confidently represent the manager from time to time with key stakeholders. If this opportunity interests you, we would love to hear from you.

Working for New Zealand Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa…

To join NZ Customs in any role you must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident*. Due to the nature of Customs' work all candidates must have a clear Police record. Security clearances are mandatory and are conducted by Customs before job offers are made. Successful applicants are also required to pass a drug test.

 (*) you must have resided in New Zealand five years ago from the date of this application and have continuously resided in New Zealand for the last five years - or have spent short amounts of time in one or more of the following countries: Australia, Canada, United Kingdom or United States. You must have a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service towards a recommendation of suitability for security clearance at a higher level.

New Zealand Customs Service 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.

How to apply…

To express your interest, please apply online by submitting a CV and cover letter that demonstrates your ability to meet the competencies required for the role, as outlined in the position description. For further information about this role, please view the attached position description. Any other information can be obtained by contacting Debbie Kay by email Debbie.Kay@Customs.govt.nz

Applications close 11pm Sunday 9 August 2026 

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.