Chief Executive Officer

About the opportunity

Fish & Game New Zealand is looking for a Chief Executive Officer to guide the organisation through a period of transition, ministerial reform and change with a future-focused approach. The position is expected to provide calm and consistent leadership, improve organisational stability and make sure statutory duties are delivered clearly and effectively.

Why this role

This is an opportunity to lead a national organisation with a defined public purpose and an important role across the sector. The CEO will help set strategic direction, strengthen the organisation’s profile and influence, and support outcomes that make a meaningful difference. In this environment, steady judgement, strong relationship-building and leadership continuity will be especially important.

Strategic focus

The Chief Executive Officer will work alongside 12 autonomous regional Fish & Game organisations throughout New Zealand, providing national leadership, advocacy, strategic influence, education and support. A major focus will be to improve long-term strategic positioning while also supporting everyday delivery and the organisation’s future direction.

Leadership and relationships

Fish & Game operates in a complex environment that depends heavily on relationships, with strong regional links across 12 Fish & Game regions and a significant national voice. The organisation must balance advocacy, support for licence holders, governance and national alignment while continuing to strengthen its standing across the wider environmental sector.

This position will suit a leader who can bring people together, work closely with the Fish & Game New Zealand National Council, and engage confidently with government, DOC, eNGOs and sector bodies. The role also requires a clear strategic perspective on Fish & Game NZ’s purpose, priorities and partnerships, along with practical support for the Fish & Game NZC office team.

Role priorities

• Lead the modernisation and strengthening of Fish & Game New Zealand.
• Guide advocacy, relationship management and sector engagement on behalf of hunters and anglers who hold licences.
• Act as the organisation’s main political interface.

What you will bring

• Extensive senior leadership experience in a licence-based membership setting, with proven capability in setting direction, communicating clearly and leading strategically.
• Strong relationship-building ability, sound judgement and the credibility to work effectively with government, related entities, sector agencies, stakeholders and a licence-holder organisation.
• A collaborative style that supports a National Council and contributes to good governance, strategy and decision-making.
• Experience leading a small, dispersed team while balancing strategic priorities with hands-on delivery.
• Commercial understanding and the ability to support initiatives that contribute to long-term sustainability.
• Political awareness, resilience and a grounded leadership approach that brings clarity and confidence during change.
• Experience with federated or member-based organisations and the ability to operate effectively in a complex stakeholder environment.
• Working knowledge of accounting, budgeting, financial management and reporting.
• Established links within the environmental space, along with awareness of current and emerging issues, threats and preferably introduced species management.
• Understanding of government processes, including Select Committees and how legislation is progressed and passed.
• Ability to manage communications directly with mainstream media and social media.

Additional information

For a copy of the position description or to request further details, contact Adrienne Murray, HR & HS Advisor, NZC, at [email protected].

Submit your application letter and CV by 6 August 2026 to [email protected]. Applications will be considered as they are received.