OIA Adviser | Wellington City

Job Description

Official Information Act Adviser

Role type: Permanent full-time

Location: Wellington CBD

Salary band & range: General Salary Range F: $76,463 to $89,215 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are looking for an Adviser to join our Official Information Act (OIA) team, who are responsible for the management of the Ministry's OIA, and Privacy Act correspondence. The team operates in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, and you will learn something new about MPI every day!

As an OIA Adviser, you will be responsible for drafting replies to official correspondence and other documents, within established and legislative timeframes, and to a high standard. This includes ensuring that the enquiry is closely analysed to identify issues and the relevant information sourced, including policy, legislation and situational context, and then represented in a manner that respectfully addresses the enquiry in a way that is appropriate to the audience.

Coordinating across seven dynamic portfolios (Fisheries New Zealand, Agriculture & Investment Services, New Zealand Food Safety, Rural Communities, Animal Welfare, Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, and Biosecurity New Zealand) requires vision and collaboration. It means bringing together diverse perspectives, from industry groups representing fisheries and iwi to organisations like the SPCA, to create responses. Through this collaboration the Ministry becomes a unifying voice for multiple sectors, ensuring that every stakeholder feels heard.

About You - Mōu 

You will be an energetic self-starter with a reputation for working effectively across an organisation to get things done.

To be successful in this role you will ideally have:

• The ability to work under pressure, manage ambiguity, address risks proactively, and escalate issues as needed
• Superior writing skills, adaptable to various audiences, and ease in robust conversations with senior staff
• The ability to juggle multiple priorities and solving complex problems effectively
• Excellent relationship management skills, establishing and maintaining collaborative connections with both internal and external stakeholders
• A good understanding of the machinery of Government
• Experience and/or exposure to or be willing to learn, the OIA Act and processes i.e. responding to OIA requests and advising on its application

You do not need to meet all the role requirements to apply. We will welcome an application if you think you have the skills to adapt to the role.

Ideally, you're someone who's ambitious and looking to grow your career. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities. This role is seen as a gateway to move up and/or sideways into the likes of Ministerial Adviser roles, Government Services roles, Policy Analyst, Senior and Principal level roles, and of course you'll have exposure to all the other job opportunities across MPI.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū 

We are a fun and fast-moving team at the forefront of our Government Services directorate. Our mahi supports the Ministry and our Ministers' offices with responding to Official Information Act requests. We provide a supportive and inclusive environment that includes regular meetings, trainings and outings.

This team has the benefit of direct access to our senior leadership including the Director Government Services, and Deputy Director-General of Public Affairs.

We are a team of twelve, all located in Wellington, working across a broad range of topics.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua 

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most sustainable provider of high-value food and primary products.

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

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

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 11.59pm on Sunday, 31 August 2025

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

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