Solicitor | Wellington

Job Description

• Fixed Term / Secondment until 30 September 2026 

This role is a fixed term position in response to increased demand within our high priority work programmes. Reason for the vacancy is to backfill career progression.

Mō te tūranga mahi | About the role   

This team is responsible for providing legal advice across the Ministry's policy and operational portfolios, ensuring the Ministry complies with its statutory obligations, at a minimum, and litigation management where the Minister or the Ministry is the subject of legal proceedings.  

The purpose of this role is to work in partnership with the organisation to provide expert in-house legal advice for Ministers, and the Ministry on a wide range of issues. In particular, you will advise on public and environmental law issues as they affect the Ministry's operations with a particular focus on policy and legislative development. Advising on climate change and the resource management system will be a key focus as well as supporting the internal management of litigation.  Advice is required to be delivered in a range of formats and varied timeframes to suit the needs of internal clients and Ministers.   You will be supported, mentored and coached by Senior Solicitors, Principal Legal Advisors as well as your Manager, in your day to day work. 

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience   

Our ideal candidate will bring; 

• Experience of working in Government.
• Understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi & Te ao Māori is desirable
• 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 $91,422 to $110,808 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.