Senior Lawyer/Lawyer Policy and Litigation - Wellington
Date: 5 Mar 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
We are recruiting 1 x Senior Lawyer and 1 x Lawyer - Both permanent roles will be based in Wellington.
The Policy and Legislation team works collaboratively with teams across The Ministry of Social Development on policy and legislative development and implementation, in a way which achieves the Ministry’s regulatory stewardship obligations.
As a Lawyer or Senior lawyer in the Policy and Legislation Legal Team, you will focus on providing legal advice on a broad range of operational and public law matters. This includes supporting policy development, advising on regulatory and legislative reform, drafting of some secondary legislation, contributing to the drafting of primary legislation and advising on operational matters. You will play a crucial role in identifying legal risks, advising on legislative matters, and ensuring MSD meets its legal and compliance obligations.
Both roles will require you to work collaboratively with a colleagues from across the Ministry as well as with Lawyers, Senior Lawyers and Principal Counsel within MSD Legal.
In addition to the above, a successful applicant for the Senior Lawyer role will be able to demonstrate their ability and desire to mentor and support other legal staff, contributing to the overall capability and excellence of MSD Legal.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
Our ideal candidate will have:
- Prior experience in the Government Legal Network.
- An understanding of legal, policy, and practice issues relevant to the Ministry’s business including the legislation MSD administers and works with.
- Experience supporting policy and legislation development in the public service.
- Proven ability to provide high-quality legal services within a complex political and regulatory environment.
- The ability to work collaboratively with excellent relationship building skills.
Strong applicants who do not meet the above criteria will be considered, however all applicants must be admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand and hold (or be eligible for) a practicing certificate.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau:
Lawyer: $90,743 - $109,980
Senior Lawyer: $122,381 - $152,296
How to apply
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz
Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Closing date: Thursday 19th March 2026
Joining us
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.
