Senior Lawyer Policy and Legislation - Wellington, Auckland or Christchurch
Wellington, NZ
About our team | Mō te tīma:
The Policy and Legislation team works collaboratively across MSD to advise on operational, policy and legislative matters, in a way which achieves the Ministry’s regulatory stewardship obligations.
As part of the Policy and Legislation team you will get the opportunity to work with talented colleagues that will support you to develop your skills as a Senior Lawyer while contributing to work that has a meaningful impact on the lives of New Zealanders.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
As a Senior Lawyer in the Policy and Legislation Legal Team, you will play a key role in delivering high quality legal advice across MSD’s policy, legislative, and operational work.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing legal advice on a broad range of operational and public law matters
- Supporting policy development and regulatory reform
- Drafting secondary legislation, and working directly with the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office on the drafting of primary legislation
- Identifying and managing legal risk across complex and politically sensitive matters
- Ensuring MSD meets its legal and compliance obligations
This role will require you to work collaboratively with colleagues from across the Ministry as well as with Lawyers, Senior Lawyers and Principal Counsel within MSD Legal.
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:
- 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.
Our ideal candidate is likely to receive an offer at the higher end of the salary band for this position.
Please reach out to michael.fitzgerald017@msd.govt.nz if you would like to discuss the position before applying.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $122,381.00 - $152,296.00
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: Wedensday 13th May 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.
