Principal Analyst Data & Insights | Wellington City

Job Description

Principal Analyst Data & Insights

Role type: Permanent Full-Time

Location: Rotorua or Wellington

 General Salary Range Band C: $119,376 to $153,670 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are seeking a Principal Analyst to join our Data & Insights team within the Forestry Insights directorate of Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service.

As the Principal Analyst Data & Insights you will provide intellectual and strategic leadership across the Data & Insights team.  You will use data and insights to deliver value, drive improvement, and strengthen organisational culture. You will take the lead as a role model for good practice in analysis, insights, and data management.

The key deliverables for this role will include:

• lead the strategic vision for our data improvement programme, its purpose, and desired outcomes
• build relationships with stakeholders to understand current and emerging business needs and inform ongoing data improvements
• guide the development of recommendations, business cases, and projects to deliver improved data and information
• develop and improve the use of data analytics and business intelligence tools within the branch
• keep up to date on analytical trends and new technologies that could potentially benefit the business including assessing and providing recommendations where applicable
• coach team members to develop their analytical thinking, as well as statistical and coding (R, Python, SQL) skills

About You - Mōu

You'll bring a strategic and a natural intellectual curious mindset, supported by a deep understanding of data, analytics, and insights. You'll be motivated by the opportunity to influence how Te Uru Rākau uses data to drive better decision-making and outcomes.

You will also bring the following skills and experience:

• proven experience building trusted relationships and understanding the business needs of a wide range of stakeholders
• strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex requirements into actionable data strategies and compelling business cases
• passionate about developing others, with proven coaching and mentoring capabilities to support growth
• strategic thinker who stays ahead of emerging trends and technologies

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Data and Insights team supports decision makers by building a view of the forestry and wood processing supply chain. The team sits within of the wider Forestry insights Directorate of Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service. We're a small, agile team with big ambitions. We work smart, think creatively, and deliver meaningful results. If you're looking to make a real impact and grow your ideas, we'd love to have you on board

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  

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

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 11:59 on Tuesday 9 September 2025.

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

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