Principal Business Analyst | Kaitātari Pakihi Mātāmua at Statistics NZ, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

The role | Te tūnga    

At Stats NZ, the work we do matters. The insights and data we provide help shape decisions that impact all New Zealanders — from government policy and public services through to iwi, businesses, researchers, and communities across Aotearoa. 

We’re looking for an experienced and strategic Principal Business Analyst to join us at a pivotal time of organisational and programme change.  This role will report into and be actively supported by the Enterprise Portfolio Office. You will be provided access to a great cohort of Project Managers, Coordinators, Change Managers, as well as the Business Analyst Community of Practice. This is a fixed-term position through to end June 2027 and is to be based in Wellington. 

This is not a traditional BA role focused solely on requirements gathering or delivery support. This is an opportunity to operate at enterprise level — influencing direction, shaping investment decisions, strengthening delivery practices, and helping drive meaningful organisational outcomes. 

You’ll work closely with senior leaders, programme teams, and stakeholders across the organisation to navigate complexity, connect the dots across workstreams, and ensure delivery activity aligns to strategic priorities and long-term value. 

In this role, you’ll: 

• lead strategic analysis and provide trusted advice in complex and evolving environments 
• shape programme planning, prioritisation, and interdependency management activities 
• influence delivery direction, resource planning, and organisational decision making 
• design and improve enterprise processes that support consistent and effective delivery practices 
• identify opportunities to strengthen organisational capability and delivery maturity 
• facilitate conversations that bring people together around shared outcomes 
• lead solution analysis, planning, and transition activity across business and technology initiatives, and 
• partner with senior stakeholders to help shape the future state of how we work. 

You’ll be someone who can comfortably move between strategy and delivery — equally confident engaging with executives as you are working through ambiguity, solving problems, and helping teams turn ideas into practical outcomes 

What you bring | Nōu te rourou    

We’re interested in people who bring: 

• significant experience operating as a senior or principal-level Business Analyst within complex environments 
• strong strategic thinking and enterprise-wide perspective 
• experience working across programmes, portfolios, or large-scale organisational change initiatives 
• excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing capability; 
• confidence navigating ambiguity and competing priorities 
• strong facilitation, planning, and analytical skills 
• experience shaping business processes, operating models, or enterprise delivery practices; and 
• an ability to build trusted relationships and influence outcomes through collaboration rather than authority 
• we highly value demonstrated competency in mātauranga Māori, tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi application in a workplace setting. To support this work, proficiency in te reo Māori, or a strong commitment to developing te reo Māori capability is welcomed 
• we are seeking candidates with a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and applying cultural capability in their practice 

Experience working within Agile, transformation, public sector, data, digital, or enterprise delivery environments would be highly valued. 

We recognise that valuable skills can come from both paid and unpaid work. You might have gained experience in education, hospitality, technology, public service, the marae, or the arts. You might have experience from community involvement, volunteering, or whānau responsibilities. We welcome and value all forms of transferable skills. Please bring your full unique self to your application.  

For all our roles, we’re looking for people who:  

• Act with integrity, take responsibility, and do what’s right even when it’s hard
• Understand the ‘why’ behind their work and focus on delivering real value
• Stay curious and open to learning, seeing challenges as chances to grow
• Build respectful and inclusive relationships, grounded in care for others
• Work collaboratively across boundaries and contribute to collective outcomes.  

We don’t expect you to know everything. What matters is your genuine interest, commitment, and readiness to grow with us. Tell us about yourself in your cover letter, what attracted you to this role, and what you would bring to Stats NZ.  

About Us | Ko mātou   

Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa is the National Statistics Office, leading the way in data and insights. While this is our focus, it’s our people who are central to everything we do. We value diverse perspectives and experiences, recognising that our work is strengthened by the people behind it.  

The data and insights we produce help shape decisions across government, communities, and businesses, and plays an important role in telling the story of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our mahi supports informed decision making at both national and local levels, helping improve outcomes for people, the economy, and the environment.  

We’re proud of the role we play in guiding and strengthening the data system, with a goal of delivering high quality data with equitable access for all.  

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

Take a look at our Stats NZ careers site to learn more about our organisational values: He pēwhea ā tātou tikanga mahi | The way we work.  

Some key benefits include:  

• 37.5 hours work week 
• 3 extra days off (taken during end-of-year office closure) 
• Flexible working.  

This is an opportunity to contribute to work that has real impact for Aotearoa New Zealand, while helping shape how one of New Zealand’s most important public sector organisations delivers into the future. 

At Stats NZ, we’re committed to creating an environment where people can do meaningful work, bring fresh thinking, and contribute to outcomes that matter for generations to come. 

You’ll join a collaborative and purpose-driven environment where enterprise thinking, curiosity, innovation, and continuous improvement are genuinely valued. 

Starting salary for this position: $119,795 – 162,075 per annum + kiwisaver   

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono    

Sound like you? Click ’Apply now’ to be redirected to the application page on our careers site. The position description is located on the right-hand side of the page.  

Our process is to screen applications as we receive them, so we move to interview stage quickly.  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 amber.mccabe@stats.govt.nz if you have any pātai / questions.   

Note to recruitment agencies: unsolicited CVs will not be accepted.