Senior Official Information Act Adviser
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand · Full Time
Be the first to apply
- Experience
- Any
- Salary
- NZD 102,953 – NZD 137,778 / year
- Openings
- 1
- Posted
- 22 hours ago
- Work mode
- In office
- Eligibility
- Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or hold a New Zealand residence-class visa (including permanent residence) and meet the criteria for a CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance by having a minimum five-year verifiable background check by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).
- Resume
- Required to apply
Where you'll work
Job description
About the Role
Become part of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Official Information Act team based in Wellington City. This permanent full-time position involves managing Official Information Act and Privacy Act requests by preparing detailed, well-informed responses within legal deadlines. The role demands interaction with multiple business units to extract relevant information, analyze complex matters, and maintain high standards through peer review, coaching, and quality assurance.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare official correspondence and responses related to the Official Information Act.
- Interpret and apply legislative frameworks to assess matters accurately.
- Coordinate and consolidate responses from multiple MPI portfolios.
- Ensure quality assurance and conduct peer reviews for team output consistency.
- Provide coaching and support to other OIA Advisers, fostering team capability.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be highly organised, proactive, and adept at managing multiple priorities in a dynamic public sector environment. Strong judgement and excellent written communication skills are essential to translate complex information into accessible language suitable for varied audiences. The role requires collaborative engagement with senior leaders and subject matter experts to deliver exemplary results.
Key attributes and experience include:
- Excellent writing and analytical capabilities.
- Practical experience with the Official Information Act.
- Proven ability to handle conflicting priorities effectively.
- Strong relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders.
- Experience mentoring or coaching team members.
Team Environment
Join a supportive group of 14 Wellington-based professionals who collaborate across multiple topics to ensure high-quality OIA support to the Ministry and Ministers’ offices. The team values continuous improvement and offers regular training and professional development opportunities.
About MPI
The Ministry for Primary Industries works closely with New Zealand’s food and fibre industry, aiming to be the most trusted provider globally of premium food and fibre products.
Employee Benefits
- Extra MPI leave days beyond statutory entitlements.
- Options to purchase additional annual leave.
- Annual wellness payment supporting wellbeing.
Security Requirements
This role requires holding a CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or hold permanent/residence class visa status.
- Have a verifiable minimum five-year background history assessed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).
Applicants not meeting these security prerequisites will not be considered.
Inclusion and Application Information
MPI is dedicated to honoring Te Tiriti o Waitangi by partnering with iwi, hapū, whānau, and communities. The organisation strives to reflect New Zealand’s diverse population and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds and identities. Applicants are encouraged to detail their values, motivations, abilities, and unique perspectives in their cover letter, including experiences outside of formal employment.
The application deadline is 11:59 pm on 2nd August 2026. Queries about the position may be directed to [email protected].