Senior Solicitor | Wellington

Job Description

• 2 roles available both providing maternity leave cover
• 1 ending 01 April 2027 
• 1 ending 11 December 2026

This role is a fixed term position in response to increased demand within our high priority work programmes. We are surging in people and resources in response to these priorities.

Mō te tūranga mahi | About the role   

Our team provides trusted legal advice across the Ministry's policy and operational mahi, ensuring we meet our statutory obligations and supporting litigation management when the Ministry or Minister is involved in legal proceedings.

As a Senior Solicitor, you will partner closely with people across the organisation to deliver high‑quality, practical legal advice on a wide range of matters. You'll work on public, environmental, privacy, and commercial law issues, with a strong focus on policy and legislative development. You focus areas will change over time based on Ministry and Government priorities. You may also contribute to litigation management, including Judicial Review and Waitangi Tribunal matters. Your advice will be delivered in a variety of formats, often in dynamic timeframes to support internal clients and Ministers.

As a senior member of the team, you'll also coach and mentor colleagues, contribute to Legal & Risk development initiatives, and play a role leading  organisational practice on things like public sector duties, and Crown-wide approaches.

In return, you'll join a friendly, experienced, and passionate team where collaboration is the norm and your professional growth is genuinely supported. You'll have access to interesting, varied, and meaningful work that makes a difference to Aotearoa.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience   

Our ideal candidate will bring;

• Minimum 7 years PQE, preferably in a government context
• Strong experience providing legal advice, interpretation and support for the development of legislation, ideally with respect to legislation within the remit of MfE
• Strong experience in litigation management, RMA practice and/or climate matters
• A law degree and a current NZLS practising certificate (or current eligibility to obtain one)

Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau | Salary range  

Salary range for this role is $119,974 to $145,706 pa.  Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.  

Tono ināianei | Apply now  

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and cover letter.  Note: your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.     

If you require further information about this position please contact geetha.verhaeghe@mfe.govt.nz.  The position description is available via our careers centre www.mfe.govt.nz/jobs.  

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and actively strive to be a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture.  We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.  We are proud to be a Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick certified organisation and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.   

We want to ensure any accessibility needs you may have are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all.  Therefore, please let us know if there are any adjustments or support we can offer to make the recruitment process more accessible to you.  Please contact us at vacancy@mfe.govt.nz if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.  

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.  

Note: for internal permanent kaimahi who are applying for a secondment, you must speak with your Manager before submitting your application.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:   Monday 25th May 2026

Please note that the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and it's workforce will transition into the new Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) on 1 July 2026. Therefore, the successful applicant's employment would be transferred from MfE to MCERT as at 1 July, along with other Ministry kaimahi. Further details on what this means will be made available during the interview process.