Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role

There are two exciting opportunities to join the Agriculture, Forestry & Corporate Law team within the Ministry for Primary Industries' Legal Services Directorate as a Senior Solicitor to become part of a busy and collegial Directorate that provides legal advice across a diverse and rewarding range of work.

Responsibilities of these positions will see you provide legal advice that identifies and provides options for managing legal risk and work in a way that supports businesses and internal partnerships across MPI and supports their strategies and, where appropriate, whole of government issues. You will also provide leadership and direction to the team in retaining and instructing external counsel as required, while thinking strategically about the MPI's litigation objectives.

Senior Solicitor (Public Law) will prepare, present, and provide leadership and direction to the team on legislative development projects, policy, corporate and operational and regulatory matters.

Senior Solicitor (Commercial) provides a unique opportunity to apply your commercial law expertise across a wide variety of work supporting New Zealand's primary industries and the operation to all MPI business units. Key areas of work include supporting grant funding programmes, reviewing, advising, and assisting with the negotiation of contracts, including contracts for goods and services, ICT agreements, and range of other agreements necessary to support the operation of MPI.

Mōu - About You

You want to be involved in providing legal advice on matters relating to the primary industries. The team is involved in providing advice in an ‘end to end' context, supporting policy to law and providing operational advice to regulators on MPI administered legislation.

From the commercial perspective, the team provides advice on MPI administered programmes that support growing the primary sector as well as a wide range of commercial contracting spaces.

To be considered for these roles, you will need:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in law and a current New Zealand practising certificate, or the immediate ability to hold one.
• Significant post-admission experience in public law or another relevant area of law.
• For the Senior Solicitor (Commercial) role, commercial law experience, with negotiating and drafting contracts and/or grant funding agreements either as an in-house lawyer in a government department, other public sector agency, or corporate legal team
• Good attention to detail and drafting skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with senior-level officials, good communication skills, and a collaborative work style.
• Clear judgement and an ability to recognise and understand the implications of legal advice.
• Experience in providing leadership in operational legal advice, litigation, or legislative development projects.
• Experience with supervising, mentoring, and coaching less experienced solicitors.
• Ability to support the Team Manager in the planning and management of resources, making process improvements for the benefit of all.

Desirable:

• Experience working in-house for a large regulator.
• Experience with the development and design of legislation.
• Knowledge of legislation administered by MPI and the regulatory environment in which MPI operates.

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team

The Agriculture, Forestry & Corporate Law Team provides public law, legislative development, and litigation support to MPI staff working in the areas of agriculture, forestry, and climate change, in particular, to Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, Policy & Trade, and Agriculture and Investment Services Business Groups. It also provides the commercial and corporate law support for all Business Groups across MPI. Join our Wellington based team of one manager and 10 solicitors. We are a cohesive team with opportunities for coaching and mentorship for career development.

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI

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 primary products.

Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua - Benefits of working at MPI

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Annual Wellness payment

Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru - Security checks

Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?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 11.59pm 3 March 2025

If you have any questions about the role, please email Sophie.Hallett@mpi.govt.nz

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