Principal Policy Advisor at Department of Conservation, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Help improve conservation and recreation outcomes in New Zealand.
• Salary range between $113,031 - $157,500 depending on skills and experience.
• Fixed term until March 2027. Wellington-based role.
• Role in the Budget and Funding Policy team.

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa
The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.

Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.

Mō te tūranga | About the role
We are looking for a Principal Policy Advisor to provide thought leadership and to help lead a large and complex policy work programme, working closely with the manager of the team.

The role is in the Budget and Funding policy team. This team provides advice to ministers on a range of strategic projects across DOC, including:

• the annual Government budget process;
• options to grow funding for conservation, including from the private sector and recreational users;
• voluntary nature and carbon markets and how they'll work on public conservation land;
• legislative and regulatory changes to enable Government to charge international visitors to access conservation land;
• how to address inherited assets on conservation land.

We are looking for an excellent communicator who can provide effective and robust advice to Ministers and DOC's Senior Leadership Team, consider the wider strategic context, and design policy that embraces the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

You should have strong engagement skills; engaging across DOC, government and with external stakeholders and our Treaty Partners will be a key component of this role. We are looking for someone with legislative and regulatory experience.

This is a fixed term role until March 2027 for a parental leave cover.

Click here for Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
Our ideal candidate will have a depth of knowledge and proven experience understanding policy issues, analysis and providing recommendations.

You are a strategic thinker who can see the big picture and thrive working in a complex setting on wide-ranging issues to come up with sound policy recommendations. You will also bring your effective long-term planning and immediate time management skills.

If you have the following, we are keen to hear from you:

• Proven experience in leading complex and sensitive policy programmes and projects, requiring deep policy craft and/or technical expertise. Experience in managing legislative change will be a clear advantage.
• Understanding of the strategic context, current policy agenda and priorities; and views policy issues in the wider context and applies foresight and judgement to identify what is important for the policy area in the medium and long term.
• Experience in providing authoritative and frank policy advice that recognises the choices and constraints Ministers face and anticipates needs.
• Experience in a leadership role in a cross-Policy Unit and cross-government policy projects, setting a clear sense of direction and priorities, working collaboratively with others to deliver across a number of policy projects.
• Treaty analysis and cultural awareness - understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi including the willingness to engage in Te Ao Māori concepts and/or understanding tikanga Māori.
• Expertise in the use of policy project management processes, has skill and experience to manage competing policy pressures and conflicts and understands how to assess risk and develop risk mitigation strategies.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What's in it for you?
DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default. You can learn more about what we offer here.


Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now
Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. We are unable to accept direct or emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted.

If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

The salary range for this position is $113,031 - $157,500 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.


Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory - this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Aleena Antony, Senior Recruitment Advisor at aantony@doc.govt.nz.