Solicitor or Senior Solicitor | Wellington City

Solicitor and Senior Solicitor - Legal Services

Role type: Permanent, Full-Time (x2)

Location: Wellington

Solicitor Salary range: $75,000 – $99,000 depending on skills and experience

Senior Salary range: $100,000 – $117,000 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga 

There are twoexciting opportunities to join the MPI Legal Services team and become part of a busy and collegial Directorate that provides legal advice across a diverse and rewarding range of work, responding to the ministry's needs as required.

We are looking to fill oneSenior Solicitor and one Solicitorposition in the below teams:

• Agriculture, Forestry & Corporate Law Team  - Solicitor
• Food Safety & Fisheries Law Team – Senior Solicitor

There may also be Solicitor positions that become available as a result of the recruitment process.

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 business's and internal partnerships across MPI and supports  their strategies and, where appropriate, whole of government issues.

As a Senior you will provide leadership and direction to the team on legislative development projects, operational matters, instructing external counsel as required, while thinking strategically about the Ministry's litigation objectives.

About You - Mōu 

We are looking for Solicitors with more than 2 year's and Seniors with a number of years' experience in public law or other relevant legal experience to advise across the full range of work in the two teams.

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.
• Post-admission experience in public law or another relevant area of law.
• Good attention to detail and drafting skills
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships, good communication skills, and a collaborative work style.
• A can-do attitude with a proven track record in the delivery of useful and high-quality legal advice.
• Clear judgement and an ability to recognise and understand the implications of legal advice.

To be considered for the Senior role, you will also need:

• Ability to support the Team Manager in the planning and management of resources and making process improvements for the benefit of the team, directorate, and our clients.
• Experience and a real interest in supervising, mentoring, and coaching less experienced solicitors.
• Experience in providing leadership in operational legal advice, litigation, or legislative development projects
• Ability to identify and make process improvements.
• A proven track record in building strong relationships with, and providing useful advice to, senior-level officials.

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.

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit. 

About the Team  - Mō tō mātou Rōpū  

The Legal Services Directorate is mainly based in Wellington for the public law and commercial functions and all around the country for the prosecution function.  We work collaboratively and provide support and opportunities for development, including a varied and interesting CPD programme.  While Solicitors are appointed to a particular team, we have a rotation policy to provide the opportunity to move between teams.

The Agriculture, Forestry & Corporate Law Team provides general public law, legislative development, and litigation support to MPI staff working in the areas of agriculture, forestry and climate change. In particular to MPI Staff in the 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 the Ministry.

The Food Safety & Fisheries Law Team provides general public law, legislative development, emergency responses for food, and litigation support to MPI staff working in the areas of food safety, food export, and fisheries management. In particular to MPI Staff in the NZ Food Safety, Fisheries NZ, and Policy and Trade Business Groups. 

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru 

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.

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? 

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 Monday 7th April 2025

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