Principal Advisor Search and Rescue

Principal Advisor – Search and Rescue!

• Based at Police National Headquarters, Wellington


• Grade 21  


• Police Employee


• Full Time, Fixed Term – Ending 30th June 2028


• NAV


• JR 6014432

E tῡ ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā.

Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face

Mō te tūnga | About the role

New Zealand's Search and Rescue (NZSAR) system is entering a significant period of transformation. The NZSAR Council has approved an ambitious programme of work to strengthen system leadership, operational capability and sector partnerships across New Zealand's SAR system. To support delivery of these priorities, New Zealand Police is seeking a highly experienced Principal Advisor – Search and Rescue.

This is an opportunity to work at the centre of New Zealand's Search and Rescue system, influencing national direction and helping shape the future capability of one of New Zealand's most important public safety networks.

You will work with dedicated professionals and volunteers across government and non-government organisations to deliver meaningful improvements that strengthen New Zealand's ability to respond when people need help most.

This newly established role has been funded by the NZSAR Council to address critical capacity pressures and accelerate delivery of strategic initiatives across the SAR system. Working closely with Police, Maritime New Zealand, Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ), government agencies and volunteer organisations, you will play a key role in turning Council priorities into tangible outcomes.

Reporting to the SAR leadership team, you will provide strategic advice, programme leadership, governance support and stakeholder engagement to ensure delivery of the NZSAR Council Work Programme.

You will lead and coordinate complex, multi-agency initiatives that improve SAR capability, strengthen governance, and support evidence-based decision-making across the NZSAR system.

This is a unique opportunity to work across the entire Search and Rescue sector and contribute to outcomes that directly improve public safety and save lives.

Key Accountabilities:

• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders, governance groups and partner agencies.


• Identify emerging risks, opportunities and trends affecting the SAR environment.


• Lead and coordinate delivery of key Council-approved initiatives.


• Support NZSAR Council, Strategic Advisory Group and Operational Leadership Group priorities.


• Build trusted relationships across Police, Maritime NZ, RCCNZ, central government agencies and NGO partners.


• Monitor progress against the Council work programme.


• Develop performance reporting and assurance mechanisms.


• Support strategic investment and prioritisation decisions.

He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring

Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.

• Demonstrated experience in a senior advisory, strategy, governance, policy, programme or organisational development role.

• Proven experience leading complex programmes of work involving multiple agencies and stakeholders.

• Strong understanding of public sector governance and decision-making.

• Excellent analytical, planning and problem-solving skills.

• Exceptional written communication skills, including preparation of executive and governance-level papers.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing capability.

• Experience managing competing priorities and delivering outcomes through others.

• Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements

• Non-core children’s worker, safety check required.


• Drug and alcohol testing, as required, according to guidelines.


• Top Secret National Security Clearance is required to be obtained and maintained for specific workgroups.

This role is Individual Contributor/Emerging Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements

To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:

https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/2026-07/Principal%20Strategic%20Advisor.pdf

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To be eligible for this role, you must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET SPECIAL national security clearance. 

The minimum criteria for this level of national security clearance is:

NZ Citizen who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 15 years, or: 

• A Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 15 years, or


• A citizen of or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last 15 years: Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, or United States of America, and has a background that can be verified by the NZSIS.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a security clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process:  

http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

Mo tātou | About us

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.

Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.

The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:

Applicant Information Pack (External)

Tono ināianei | Apply now

If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing and police vetting prior to any written offer being made.  

For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers 

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.  

Utu ā-tau | Salary 

This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence between $142,124 and $146,861.88 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.  

If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address and state your future commitments should you be successful in the next stage of the recruitment process. 

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Monday, 7th September 2026. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact [email protected]