Deputy Secretary Policy and Te Tiriti at Candidate Experience Site - Department of Internal Affairs

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

22 Apr, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

22 Jan, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Policy Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Relationship Management, Public Policy Advice, Engagement with Ministers, Operational Responsibilities, Community Wellbeing, Treaty Settlement Responsibilities, Collaboration, Influencing, Policy Initiatives, Ministerial Priorities, Oversight, Iwi Engagement, Māori Relationships, System Reform

Industry

Government Relations Services

Description

Make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders in this influential executive leadership role. Enterprise leadership Dynamic Policy portfolio System reform and delivery Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua touches the lives of all New Zealanders. We have a broad range of responsibilities and functions that span digitising government, documentary heritage, working with communities, ensuring effective regulatory frameworks are in place, supporting the executive, and delivering a wide range of services, including for identity. We are seeking an experienced Policy Leader who will take an enterprise view first, without losing sight of the achievement of Branch responsibilities. They will drive present performance, delivery of ministerial priorities and operational responsibilities, whilst focussing on the future and wider public service. Reporting directly to the Secretary for Internal Affairs, the Deputy Secretary Policy and Te Tiriti is responsible for providing enterprise level strategic leadership and oversight across a diverse range of policy areas, including gambling, racing, online safety, digital and identity, community wellbeing. . This role includes the Te Tiriti and Partnerships team, to ensure co-ordinated engagement with iwi, Māori and that our Treaty settlement responsibilities are met. Key responsibilities include: Delivering the policy work programme in line with current and emerging Ministerial priorities for our portfolios. Engaging with Ministers to provide strategically focused, high-quality policy advice Providing enterprise leadership across Te Tari in support for Ministers, in particular on the quality of advice. Ensuring effective and timely delivery of Ministers’ statutory appointment and Crown entity monitoring obligations, in particular with FENZ,. Success in this role requires a demonstrated track record in providing public policy advice, as well as your ability to deliver and implement effective policy initiatives. The preferred candidate will bring strategic thinking to anticipate and understand ministerial drivers and priorities, while maintaining oversight of a wide range of policy issues across multiple ministerial portfolios and legislative systems. Exceptional relationship management skills to engage, collaborate, influence and partner across the system to achieve the desired outcomes are required in this role. You must demonstrate a deep understanding of the relationship between iwi/Māori and government, and be able to lead your Branch in fostering meaningful engagement and achieving positive outcomes for iwi, hapū, and Māori communities This search is being managed by Rothley Partners on behalf of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua. Please apply through Seek with an up-to-date CV and covering letter; or alternatively for a conversation in confidence, please contact either Marc Schmid on 021 102 6192 or Kirsty Brown on 021 660 757. For a candidate information pack, please email info@rothley.co.nz. Applications close at 5:00pm on Sunday 15th Feb 2026 At the Department of Internal Affairs, the work we do makes New Zealand a better place for those born here, and those new New Zealanders who have chosen to call this country home. The Policy and Te Tiriti branch includes policy, Te Tiriti, ministerial and local government capabilities. The branch provides strategic leadership and oversight across a range of policy areas focused on gambling and racing, media content and online safety, digital identity and community affairs, as well as local government policy and the time-limited Local Water Done Well. Additionally, the branch has oversight of Ministerial and Monitoring functions and our Māori/Crown relationships and Treaty Settlements

Responsibilities

The Deputy Secretary Policy and Te Tiriti is responsible for delivering the policy work programme aligned with ministerial priorities and providing strategic leadership across various policy areas. This includes engaging with Ministers and ensuring effective delivery of statutory obligations.