Chief People Officer | Āpiha Tāngata Mātāmua at Statistics NZ, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Pivotal leadership opportunity for a strategic leader who excels in execution and delivery
• Meaningful work focused on people, culture and capability
• Wellington based in our central, modern offices
• Salary: $192,093 - $259,891 + superannuation

The role | Te tūnga

Stats NZ is on an exciting journey. We’re changing the way we work and the face of New Zealand’s data system. Our people and organisational culture are key to the success of our future direction, making the Chief People Officer a pivotal leadership opportunity at New Zealand’s official data agency.

We’re seeking an experienced, energised and influential Chief People Officer. You’ll be a strategic leader who excels in execution and delivery – you’ll get things done with passion and purpose.

You’ll partner with the Executive Leadership Team and other senior leaders across the organisation to turn people strategy into tangible culture and capability outcomes. You’ll be purpose-driven on shaping an organisational culture where people are supported, challenged and empowered to do their best work.

This exceptional tier three leadership role provides a mix of strategic and hands on operational mahi, leading development and delivery of values-based people strategies that lift capability, engagement, and performance across the organisation.

Your core work programme will include:

• Building a future‑ready workforce by anticipating capability needs, embracing technology, and developing strong pipelines for mission‑critical roles.
• Shaping a modern, people‑centred employee experience that supports wellbeing and reflects our Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments.
• Implementing principles, programmes and initiatives to support transformation and change, ensuring our workforce remains engaged and that initiatives are led with empathy and care.
• Modernising and simplifying our people systems, ensuring they are digital‑first, user‑friendly, and geared toward effective outcomes.
• Growing capable, confident leaders who lead with clarity, empathy, and courage.

Importantly, you’ll be responsible for developing and leading a team of HR, OD and LCD professionals – the centralised team responsible for bringing together Stats NZ’s strategies relating to our people and organisational culture. You’ll be an inspiring leader who provides clarity, consistency, care and a focus on delivery.

What's in it for you? | Ngā hua ka riro ki a koe

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive and Chief of Staff within the Office of the Government Statistician and Chief Executive, you’ll find diverse strategic and tactical work spanning organisational culture, people experience, reward and recognition, employment relations, people change, learning and capability development, recruitment and retention and workforce planning.

Here you’ll experience:

• supportive management and a fun, hardworking and dedicated team who strive to provide a proactive and customer-centric service
• varied and important work that will make a strategic and long-term difference to the people of Stats NZ, the agency’s future and New Zealand
• comfortable, modern offices in central Wellington
• a competitive salary
• a broad range of employee-led social and community groups.

What you bring | Nōu te rourou

Best suited to a seasoned HR professional, to be considered for this role you will be a highly credible senior people leader with extensive experience operating at an executive or senior management level in large, complex organisations.

To be successful in this role you’ll:

• have significant experience operating at a strategic level within large organisations
• demonstrate success leading culture programmes, workforce development and organisational change
• have exceptional understanding of New Zealand employment legislation and the ability to lead employment relations and workforce planning frameworks within a public sector environment
• be an influential leader and trusted advisor
• demonstrate sound relationship building skills and the ability to effectively partner with executives, unions, governance and other stakeholders
• bring a record of leading and developing high-performing, proactive and customer-centric teams that deliver trusted advice and solutions within complex environments
• the ability to set clear direction, while supporting and mentoring others to lead and deliver
• strong political nous and a proven understanding of the machinery of government.

About us  | Ko mātou

Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa employes approximately 1,300 talented people with offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and a field force across the country. We share a common purpose: delivering trusted data and insights that help the people of New Zealand make better decisions. Our work supports Government, Māori and Iwi partners, businesses, communities, NGOs, and all New Zealanders — improving lives today and for generations to come. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and foster a workplace where people can be their authentic selves. As Chief People Officer, you’ll help shape this environment — strengthening culture, lifting capability, and enabling our people to deliver.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

If you’re ready to lead with purpose, pace, and heart, we’d love to hear from you. Click on the Apply now button to be redirected to the application page on our careers site. The position description is located on the right-hand side of the page. Applications close on Monday, 23 February 2026.

We will be screening applications as we receive them to move swiftly to interview. You may be asked to complete a pre-interview screen via phone or video. Please let us know in your application if we need to make any specific accommodations during our process.

Please reach out to recruitment@stats.govt.nz if you have any questions.

You must have a valid work permit to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand. Background and various pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process.

Note to Recruitment Agencies: unsolicited CVs will not be accepted.