Senior Policy Advisor

Senior Policy Advisor!

• Based at Police National Headquarters, Wellington


• Band J – Grade 21


• Police Employee


• Permanent, Full time


• NAV


• JR 5937347

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

We are recruiting for roles across our teams to deliver on a diverse and important work programme. We’re looking for energetic and capable policy professionals who are looking to advance their career by tackling some of New Zealand’s most pressing challenges. Join us and make a real difference for the future of our communities.

The New Zealand Police Policy Group provides advice on a remarkable and fascinating range of policy issues from vulnerable children, family harm, and health, through to organised crime, firearms, national security, transport, emergency management, and criminal justice reform.  The diversity of our business makes for interesting and challenging policy opportunities across the wide variety of sectors we work with.

We are looking for experienced senior policy advisors who have a genuine passion to improve the lives of New Zealanders, a positive can-do mindset, are intellectually curious, and who can:

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead/support complex, ambiguous, critical or significant policy projects


• Demonstrate strong critical thinking and analytical skills, along with excellent written and oral communication skills to effectively inform and influence policy advice


• Demonstrate an excellent understanding of public policy development and legislative processes


• Actively engage in building and maintaining effective working relationships internally and across agencies to maximise understanding and influence


• Take initiative, work autonomously and collectively, be adaptive, and deliver high quality work under pressure


• Support the development of other advisors through mentoring and coaching

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.

With the support of senior staff and your manager you will gain the experiences to further develop your policy and project management skills to take your career to the next level.

Mō te tima – About our teams

Core Policing Policy

The Core Policing Policy Team works with Police groups and other agencies across the justice and national security sectors, to support legislative changes and policy relating to organised crime, financial crime, and firearms. 

Policing Legislative Reform Policy

The Policing Legislative Reform Policy Team administers Police-led legislation, and manages Police’s legislative stewardship function.

People and Communities Policy

The People and Communities Policy Team works with Police groups and other agencies across the youth justice, social and transport sectors, to support legislative changes and policy relating to youth and child offending, mental health, sexual violence, family harm, victims and road safety.

National Security, Cyber and Criminal Justice Policy (NSCCJ)

The NSCCJ Policy Team manages a broad range of portfolios. We work with Police groups and other agencies across the national and international security sector and the criminal justice sector, to provide advice and support policy and legislative changes relating to national security (such as counter terrorism, foreign interference), cyber, the administration of justice, the management of offenders, and improvements to the criminal justice system.

Existing vacancy

While we appoint to the Group, with provision for staff rotation, the current vacancy is in the Core Policing team.  

Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements

• 4years minimum policy advice experience

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/06-2026/senior_policy_advisor_-_people_group.pdf

Security Clearance Requirements 

To be eligible for this role, you may be asked to obtain and maintain a CONFIDENTIAL 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 10 years, or: 

• A Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 10 years, or


• A citizen of or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last 10 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 $110,425 and $141,168 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 25 June 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]