Policy Analyst | Wellington City

Job Description

Policy Analyst, Animal Welfare Policy

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Wellington City

Salary band & range: GSR Range F: $76,463 - $101,967 depending on skills and experience.

(Midpoint is $89,215) 

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are looking for a Policy Analyst to join the Animal Welfare Policy team in the Regulatory Systems Policy directorate within MPI's Policy & Trade branch.

In this role, you'll be part of the team that advises on the Animal Welfare Act, the Veterinarians Act, and wider animal welfare policy. Our work involves working with independent advisory committees and other MPI teams to develop codes of welfare and regulations that set practical requirements for how animals are cared for in New Zealand – at home, on farms, and in research or entertainment.

You'll work alongside a wide range of people, from technical experts and industry representatives to advocacy groups and the public, facilitating conversations and helping to bridge different perspectives into constructive, balanced advice.

This is a chance to get hands-on experience shaping legislation and regulation, while also tackling challenging policy problems. You'll need to weigh legal, economic and ethical considerations to find workable solutions to complex issues. The role will stretch both your analytical and people skills, requiring you to generate creative options that connect disparate viewpoints and move discussions towards practical, consensus-driven outcomes.

About You - Mōu  

You might be early in your professional career or looking to take the next step into more complex and high-profile work. What matters most is your curiosity, adaptability, and the way you approach problems.

We're looking for someone who enjoys working through knotty issues, is comfortable with ambiguity, and can navigate competing perspectives with political nous and sound judgement. You'll have a knack for communication — both listening carefully and expressing ideas clearly — so that people with very different backgrounds can understand the key issues and see a way forward.

If you're interested in how law, economics and ethics intersect in policy, and you're motivated by finding practical solutions that balance diverse interests, you'll thrive in this role.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), to engage confidently with a wide range of people.
• Critical thinking and analytical ability to untangle complex problems and develop creative, workable options.
• Comfort with ambiguity and change, including the ability to adapt your approach as issues evolve.
• Able to navigate setbacks and move forward undeterred, while keeping the big picture in mind.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build trust, influence others, and contribute to constructive solutions.

Experience of the livestock production sectors and animal science is a bonus, but not essential. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and encourage applications from people who think they could make a great fit.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū  

You'll be based in our Wellington office, reporting to the Manager Animal Welfare Policy, and working with a small, friendly, and high-performing team.

Because our work spans technical, legal, compliance and regulatory areas, you'll collaborate with a wide range of people across MPI and beyond. One week you might be working with legal specialists to help draft regulations, the next you could be engaging with industry groups or animal advocacy organisations to understand how policy decisions play out in practice.

You'll also connect with colleagues in other government agencies and community organisations, building a network that will serve you well throughout your career.

This is very much a learning environment. We don't expect you to get everything right the first time, but we do expect you to take feedback on board and keep improving so that the final work is top notch. You'll be supported to stretch your skills, try new things, and learn from experienced policy professionals who want to see you succeed. We'll encourage you to bring your perspective and ideas to the table, knowing there's always someone around to guide you when you need it.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

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

• Annual Wellness payment
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
• Additional MPI leave days.

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” 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 11.59pm on Tuesday 23rd September

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

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