Senior Policy Analyst
Job Description
Senior Policy Analyst
Role type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Wellington City
Salary band & range: General Salary Range D – $100,934 to $118,005 depending on skills and experience
About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga
As a Senior Analyst, you'll play a key role in shaping and delivering high-quality regulatory and operational policy advice across New Zealand's forestry system.
Working within Te Uru Rākau, you will support the development of evidence-based, practical and forward-looking policy solutions that contribute to the emissions trading scheme for forestry, sustainable land use, climate change outcomes, and the long-term value of the forestry and wood processing sectors.
This is a dynamic and intellectually engaging role where you'll apply critical thinking and analytical expertise to complex issues spanning forestry, bioeconomy, environmental management, and climate policy. You'll help design and implement regulatory and operational frameworks, assess economic, environmental, social and cultural impacts, and contribute to initiatives that deliver meaningful outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Alongside policy development, you will contribute to engagement with stakeholders and Treaty Partners, supporting inclusive and effective consultation processes. You'll also play a part in preparing briefings and advice for Ministers and Cabinet, ensuring decision-makers are equipped with clear, high-quality insights.
About You - Mōu
You are an experienced policy professional with a strong analytical mindset and a genuine interest in forestry, emissions trading scheme, land use, climate and environmental systems. You bring a solid understanding of regulatory or operational policy development and thrive in roles where you can apply evidence-based thinking to complex, real-world challenges. You are comfortable working across multiple projects, contributing to high-quality advice, and navigating ambiguity to deliver practical and effective outcomes.
You will bring:
About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū
You will be based in our Wellington office, reporting to the Manager Operational Policy – Forestry Incentives. You'll be working within a collaborative, fast-paced team focused on delivering efficient, fit-for-purpose regulatory advice made up of 2 analysts, 3 senior analysts, a principal adviser and manager. The team are all based in Wellington and work closely, often contributing across different workstreams, making use of shared knowledge and peer review.
The team's purpose is to incentivise forests and forestry to support diverse economic opportunities, benefits that communities derive from ecosystems, and resilience to climate change for the intergenerational public interest.
You will work across the wider team, Forestry System Directorate, MPI and external agencies. Your work will contribute to initiatives across the end-to-end forestry and wood-processing supply chain, with a focus on the Emissions Trading Scheme for forestry.
About MPI - Mō Te Manatū Ahu Matua
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.
To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here.
Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.
We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.
In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.
To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.
Applications close at midnight on Tuesday 23 June 2026.
If you have any questions about the role, please email Olivia.Murphy@mpi.govt.nz
Follow MPI here - Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei
Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, LinkedIn, X
Senior Policy Analyst
Role type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Wellington City
Salary band & range: General Salary Range D – $100,934 to $118,005 depending on skills and experience
About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga
As a Senior Analyst, you'll play a key role in shaping and delivering high-quality regulatory and operational policy advice across New Zealand's forestry system.
Working within Te Uru Rākau, you will support the development of evidence-based, practical and forward-looking policy solutions that contribute to the emissions trading scheme for forestry, sustainable land use, climate change outcomes, and the long-term value of the forestry and wood processing sectors.
This is a dynamic and intellectually engaging role where you'll apply critical thinking and analytical expertise to complex issues spanning forestry, bioeconomy, environmental management, and climate policy. You'll help design and implement regulatory and operational frameworks, assess economic, environmental, social and cultural impacts, and contribute to initiatives that deliver meaningful outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Alongside policy development, you will contribute to engagement with stakeholders and Treaty Partners, supporting inclusive and effective consultation processes. You'll also play a part in preparing briefings and advice for Ministers and Cabinet, ensuring decision-makers are equipped with clear, high-quality insights.
About You - Mōu
You are an experienced policy professional with a strong analytical mindset and a genuine interest in forestry, emissions trading scheme, land use, climate and environmental systems. You bring a solid understanding of regulatory or operational policy development and thrive in roles where you can apply evidence-based thinking to complex, real-world challenges. You are comfortable working across multiple projects, contributing to high-quality advice, and navigating ambiguity to deliver practical and effective outcomes.
You will bring:
- Experience in policy, regulatory or operational policy development, ideally within the public sector or a related field
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply critical thinking to complex issues
- Ability to produce clear, well-structured written advice, including briefings and reports for senior decision-makers
- An understanding of, or interest in, forestry, emissions trading scheme, land use, environmental systems, and/or climate change
- Experience engaging with stakeholders, including the ability to support consultation and engagement processes
- Knowledge of regulatory best practice and an ability to apply it in practical settings
- Confidence working across multiple workstreams and contributing to cross-agency initiatives
- A willingness to learn, adapt and contribute to continuous improvement
About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū
You will be based in our Wellington office, reporting to the Manager Operational Policy – Forestry Incentives. You'll be working within a collaborative, fast-paced team focused on delivering efficient, fit-for-purpose regulatory advice made up of 2 analysts, 3 senior analysts, a principal adviser and manager. The team are all based in Wellington and work closely, often contributing across different workstreams, making use of shared knowledge and peer review.
The team's purpose is to incentivise forests and forestry to support diverse economic opportunities, benefits that communities derive from ecosystems, and resilience to climate change for the intergenerational public interest.
You will work across the wider team, Forestry System Directorate, MPI and external agencies. Your work will contribute to initiatives across the end-to-end forestry and wood-processing supply chain, with a focus on the Emissions Trading Scheme for forestry.
About MPI - Mō Te Manatū Ahu Matua
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.
To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here.
Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua
- Additional MPI leave days
- Annual Wellness payment
- Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.
We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.
In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.
To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.
Applications close at midnight on Tuesday 23 June 2026.
If you have any questions about the role, please email Olivia.Murphy@mpi.govt.nz
Follow MPI here - Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei
Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, LinkedIn, X