Head of Government Relations at Meridian Energy

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

25 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

24 Feb, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Government Relations, Public Policy, Public Affairs, Policy Outcomes, Government Relations Strategies, Briefings, Advocacy, Engagement Programmes, Ministers Engagement, Officials Engagement, Regulators Engagement, Iwi Engagement, Stakeholder Engagement, Trusted Advice, Decision-Making, Reputation Management

Industry

Utilities

Description

Company Description Mai te hiku ki te taurapa, whitikina e te rā From the tail of the fish to the tail of the waka, shines the sun Meridian is Aotearoa's largest producer of renewable electricity, generating power from 100% renewable resources – wind, water, and sun, because we believe that’s the best for our planet and our communities. We strive to deliver clean energy for a fairer and healthier world, helping reduce carbon emissions and supporting our communities. We also retail electricity to more than 400,000 homes, businesses and farms across New Zealand through our Meridian and Powershop brands. Mō te tūranga | What you’ll be doing Lead Meridian’s engagement with Government to shape coherent, evidence‑based policy outcomes aligned with Aotearoa’s long‑term interests. Own and deliver government relations strategies, including briefings, advocacy, and engagement programmes with Ministers, officials, regulators, iwi, and sector stakeholders. Provide trusted advice to senior leaders on emerging policy risks and opportunities, supporting strong decision‑making and reputation management. Work closely with the Head of Regulatory Affairs to ensure a consistent, credible, and well‑aligned message across all government and regulatory interactions. Ngā painga ki a mātou | What we can offer We value work/life balance, so our WFH and flexible work options (where possible) make things easier for you and your whānau. We also offer: An attractive and competitive salary package that’s reviewed annually, performance incentives, plus discounts from several partnerships Southern Cross Healthcare - Wellbeing One insurance, a funded scheme for eligible employees to give you that extra peace of mind Enhanced leave provisions: three company-paid days (over the holiday period), enhanced parental leave and options to buy up to 12 days of additional leave Life, trauma and income protection insurance (which we hope you won’t need!) Enhanced KiwiSaver contributions Access to the Meridian employee share scheme Excellent learning and development opportunities, we want you to be the best version of yourself, and we'll help you get there! Award-winning wellbeing programme that provides support whenever and wherever you need it Employee discounts off your power with Meridian, every bit counts A one-off $400 payment to support your work-from-home set-up (if needed) Ngā pukenga kei a koe mō tenei tūranga | What you’ll bring Strong experience in government relations, public policy, or public affairs within a complex environment. Deep understanding of New Zealand’s government, policy, and regulatory landscape, with sound political judgement. Proven ability to engage, influence, and build trusted relationships with Ministers, officials, and senior stakeholders. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including briefing and advising up to Board‑level audiences. High integrity, strong judgement, and the ability to lead advocacy and submissions under pressure. Tono mai ināianei tonu | Apply now All in all, we’re a genuinely great place to work, with meaningful projects, supportive teams, and a clear purpose. If this role sounds like a fit and you're keen to make a real impact, apply today and tell us what you’ll bring to the role. If you’ve got any questions, please email [email protected]. We're committed to becoming more accessible and providing support if needed. Please get in touch if there are parts of our process you would like assistance with (process found here meridianenergy.co.nz/careers), we’re more than happy to help. To view the full position description please click here (link to PDF) Location – Wellington is preferred but Christchurch will be considered too. Advertising closes 5 March 2026 (please note this is subject to change)

Responsibilities

The role involves leading Meridian’s engagement with the Government to shape evidence-based policy outcomes aligned with New Zealand's long-term interests. This includes owning and delivering government relations strategies such as briefings, advocacy, and engagement programs with various stakeholders.