Manager Aquaculture Policy | Wellington City

Job Description

Job title: Manager Aquaculture Policy

Role type: Permanent

Location: Wellington

Salary band & range: $162,094 to $189,933 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

Aquaculture sits at the centre of some of the most important policy issues facing New Zealand. It has a critical role to play in supporting economic growth, increasing export earnings, strengthening regional economies, and delivering meaningful opportunities for Māori. At the same time, aquaculture operates in a complex policy environment that requires careful navigation of environmental, economic, Treaty, regulatory, and community interests.

The Manager Aquaculture Policy role leads a team of approximately 7–9 staff and is responsible for a broad and high-profile work programme. This includes:

• Advising on aquaculture's contribution to the Government's economic objectives, including export growth.
• Leading aquaculture-related aspects of resource management reform and the future planning system.
• Developing the features of a standalone legislative regime for open ocean aquaculture.
• Supporting the Crown's responsibilities and relationships regarding Māori interests in aquaculture.
• Providing advice on wider marine policy issues as they relate to aquaculture, including biosecurity.
• Supporting effective implementation and stewardship of aquaculture-related regulatory systems.

The role offers regular engagement with Ministers and senior leaders, along with opportunities to work closely with industry organisations, iwi and Māori, local government, environmental NGOs, and agencies across government.

About You - Mōu

Above all, this is a people leadership role. The successful applicant will be expected to lead and support a high-performing team, build capability, create a positive team culture, and help others succeed. They will need to balance delivery, wellbeing, coaching, and development while ensuring the team continues to produce high-quality policy advice in a fast-moving and often politically sensitive environment.

 You will be able to have:

• A commitment to developing people, building capability, and fostering an inclusive team culture.
• Strong policy judgement and strategic thinking.
• Experience leading or influencing complex policy and regulatory work.
• The ability to provide high-quality advice to senior decision-makers.
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries and competing interests.

Some previous people leadership experience would be valuable, but we would also encourage applications from people who have demonstrated leadership through complex policy delivery, mentoring others, leading work programmes, or operating in senior advisory roles.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Policy & Trade Branch within MPI provides primary sector-wide strategic thinking, policy advice and analysis to MPI and Ministers. The Branch focuses on the contribution of the food and fibre sector to the economic performance and well-being of New Zealand. It provides advice on international agreements and market access, industry structure and performance, agriculture and horticulture, food safety, animal welfare, biosecurity, forestry, fishing and aquaculture, resource management and climate change.

The Primary Sector Policy Directorate within Policy & Trade provides leadership and advice about opportunities to improve the performance of New Zealand's primary sectors for the benefit of all New Zealanders. The directorate includes five policy teams focussed on the horticulture, production animal, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry sectors. We work across MPI, with wider government, the primary sectors and Māori to help realise opportunities.

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 trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Security checks – Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

This role require a New Zealand national security clearance. To be considered for this role, you must meet the eligibility criteria set out below.

CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance

• You must be a New Zealand citizen, or hold a New Zealand residence‑class visa (including permanent residence).
• You must have a minimum five (5)‑year background history that can be verified and assessed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine your suitability for a CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance.

Find out more about the national security vetting process here and access the eligibility self‑check tool here.

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 Thursday 30 July 2026.

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

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