Principal Policy Analyst

About Us Mō mātou

The Simplifying Local Government programme sits within the Local Government Branch and is responsible for progressing Government policy to modernise and simplify New Zealands local government system.

The programme addresses longstanding challenges across the sector and focuses on ensuring local governance arrangements are fit for purpose futurefocused and well aligned with national reforms particularly resource management reform.

A key focus over the next 18 months is delivering the Governments recently announced Head Start pathway working closely with council groupings to design practical governance and service delivery solutions. The team provides highquality policy advice to the Minister of Local Government and the Minister for Resource Management Reform supports Cabinet decisionmaking and leads any consequential legislative programme required to give effect to policy decisions.

This is fastpaced highimpact work involving complex system design close crossagency collaboration and engagement with local government leaders and communities.

In December 2025 the Governmentannounced the establishment of a new agency the Ministry of Cities Environment Regions and Transport. MCERT will bring together the Ministry for the Environment Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Ministry of Transport and the Local Government functions from Internal Affairs. The local government portfolio will move to the new Ministry on 1 July 2026.

The role Te tūnga

As a Principal Policy Analyst you will provide strategic leadership and advanced policy expertise to help shape the future of local governance in New Zealand. You will lead complex and sensitive workstreams mentor and support other policy staff and deliver robust advice that informs Ministerial and Cabinet decisionmaking.

Your work will span policy development system and framework design and legislative development. The role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities in parallel and to operate confidently in an evolving and sometimes ambiguous environment.

Likely areas of focus include:

• Assessing and supporting Head Start pathway proposals from council groupings including codesigning detailed proposals and bespoke legislative solutions
• Leading backstop and framework design work for regional governance and service delivery arrangements
• Translating complex policy intent into clear effective and workable legislation in close partnership with legal and policy colleagues

This is a fixedterm role through to 30 June 2027.

What you bring Nōu te rourou

• Advanced policy leadership proven experience leading complex highimpact policy programmes in a central or sectorfocused environment
• System and legislative design expertise strong capability translating policy objectives into effective frameworks and legislation
• Interagency and stakeholder leadership experience leading complex work across agencies and engaging effectively with senior leaders and external stakeholders
• Strategic and evaluative thinking ability to analyse complex systems assess tradeoffs and provide clear evidencebased advice
• Delivery in fastpaced environments confidence managing multiple priorities and delivering to tight timeframes
• People leadership and mentoring ability to coach mentor and uplift capability across the team

For you Mōu

At the Department of Internal Affairs we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice while being able to set and achieve goals and being encouraged to challenge the status quo.

To learn more about the diverse important mahi we do at the Department and see why were a great place to work check out our website -About Internal Affairs - Careers with us - Benefits -

The appointing range for this role is $129510 - $161167

To review the full job description pleaseclick here.

How to apply Me pēhea te tuku tono

We are unable to accept applications via email. Please click the apply button to submit your application.

Werecommitted to ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. Please let us know if there is anysupport we can provide to ensure the process is accessible to you.

Applications for this role close 5pm 22 May 2026. Please also note that you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

If you have any questions please email Hemi Smiler -