Senior Data Analyst | Wellington City

Job Description

Senior Data Analyst

Role type: Fixed-term opportunity

Location: Auckland or Wellington

Salary band & range: General Salary Range E - $88,748 to $103,653 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

This is a six-month fixed-term opportunity to provide parental leave cover. We provide access to biosecurity data to inform and support evidence-based decision making across all biosecurity pathways, including imported goods, containers, craft, mail, passengers, interceptions, and transitional facilities. Our work includes reporting, analytics, and advice across core border datasets (CEMS, NZTD, MPIPAX, and MPICRAFT), enabling operational, tactical, and strategic insights while supporting data-led improvement initiatives.

Within the team, we promote a culture where people are empowered to bring fresh perspectives, think critically, and contribute to continuous improvement of data products and processes.

About You – Mōu

To be successful in this role, you will be a self-starter who is comfortable working with large and varied data sources and analytical tools. You will be able to identify trends and opportunities, deliver clear and fit-for-purpose outputs, and communicate assumptions, limitations, and parameters transparently to ensure requests are well understood and appropriately addressed.

Your experience and interest in data will help strengthen how it is used. If you're motivated to make a difference while building connections across the organisation, we'd welcome your application.

Your experience will include:

• Strong SQL and Power BI skills, with proficiency in advanced Excel, including VBA.
• Experience working with large or complex datasets to identify trends and opportunities.
• Demonstrates curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset, and well-developed problem-solving and analytical thinking skills.
• Knowledge of border processes is essential; however, you will have opportunities to build this further through on-the-job training and “go and see” experiences.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Biosecurity Data and Joint Border Analytics team is a part of the Biosecurity Digital, Data and System group. The team consist of data analysts, data scientists and business analysts. As a team, we typically get involved when there is a need for analytical products or insights. This includes:

• Border insights
• Predictive analytics
• Data enrichment
• Optimisation or automation

As a data analyst, your role is to translate data into facts, enabling informed decision-making. Data Analysts in this team use data to build a valuable and enduring picture of biosecurity pathway performance, interceptions, assurance activities and compliance outcomes. These insights are used to help identify and support relevant business areas in driving continuous improvement.

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 Sunday 2nd August 2026.

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