Principal Legal Counsel at Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities , Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

•    Provider of high-quality, solutions focussed commercial and corporate legal advice and contracts
•    Opportunity to be part of a high-functioning, collaborative legal team
•    Permanent role + suite of benefits

Te whiwhinga mahi - Our opportunity

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel - Commercial and Corporate Operations, the Principal Legal Counsel will provide high quality, solutions focused commercial and corporate legal advice along with supporting organisational strategy by leading complex legal work.  

The role will contribute to the development and delivery of legal team strategy and improvement initiatives, mentoring and helping to develop other legal team members, while building strong, effective relationships with senior stakeholders to ensure seamless and aligned legal service delivery.

Key Responsibilities include:
•    Provide specialist, solutions focussed commercial and corporate legal advice and lead the review and approval of key, contracts, and compliance and governance documents
•    Identify and implement strategic, organisation wide legal solutions, including managing external legal providers
•    Draft, review, and negotiate legal documents and support project teams on contractual and risk related matters with focus on IT projects, property maintenance and funding arrangements
•    Contribute to legal strategy, leadership discussions, and improvement initiatives across the Commercial and Corporate Legal Team, as well as the wider Legal and Risk Directorate
•    Lead complex and high risk legal work, offering expert guidance with minimal supervision
•    Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to support seamless service delivery
•    Mentor and actively support the capability development of other team members within the Legal Team
•    Report on legal risks and opportunities and ensure the General Counsel is well informed
•    Identify and deliver legal training

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu - What you will bring

•    Law Degree and current practising certificate
•    10+ years’ legal experience in commercial and corporate law (law firm and/or in house public or private sector)
•    Strong judgment and ability to resolve complex, multi disciplinary legal issues
•    High-level analytical and problem solving capability
•    Ability to work in ambiguity, adapt, and manage competing priorities
•    Strong relationship building and stakeholder engagement skills
•    High personal ethics and integrity
•    Ability to mentor others and contribute to a collaborative team environment
•    Commitment to Kāinga Ora values and culturally respectful practice, including Te Tiriti considerations

Nōu te rourou - What's in it for you?  
We offer competitive salaries, five weeks' annual leave and a benefits package including a range of insurances, flexible working arrangements and career development. These benefits are described in more detail here https://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz/a-great-place-to-work/benefits 

As a Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities employee, we want to make sure that you have all the tools and support you need. We want to ensure you are healthy and have work-life balance. We also want to support and grow your personal and career development through on-the-job learning, training courses, secondments and study opportunities. 

Mō mātou - Our Organisation
At Kāinga Ora, ours is the important responsibility of transforming New Zealand’s housing choices, outcomes and the entire housing sector by creating homes and communities that allow New Zealanders to thrive. 

What is exciting about working for Kāinga Ora is getting the chance to make a real and positive impact on New Zealanders’ lives. With skills, planning and purposeful action, our people are creating the homes and neighbourhoods that will build the future of Aotearoa. 

We are passionate about transforming New Zealand for the better. That includes being a trusted partner for Māori and iwi, protecting and enabling their rights, interests and aspirations under the guidance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

Ō tātou uara - Our values 
Our values were developed by us, for us. They unite us as an organisation and guide how we work every day. Our values are:
•    Manaakitanga – People at the Heart
•    Mahi Tahi – Better Together
•    Whanake – Be Bold

Tūhono mai - Join us
To view the position description and apply for this role, please follow the online process via http://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz. Please note: all applicants, including existing employees, need to follow this process. If you have any questions about this role, please contact kaingaora.recruit@kaingaora.govt.nz.

Applications close 11.55pm on Wednesday 18th February 2026.

We value diversity and are committed to working with each other and our customers in an inclusive and respectful way. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and appreciate the richness of experience that your point of difference brings to the organisation.

If you don’t tick all the boxes in this listing but think that you could be a great fit based on your unique background and skillset, we would welcome an application from you. Don’t hesitate, as we may review applications as they are received and reserve the right to close advertising early.