Kaiāwhina Motuhake | Private Secretary

New Zealand Government

  • Wellington
  • $110,501-134,128 per year
  • Contract
  • Full-time
  • Just now
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this roleFixed Term or Secondment opportunity to November 2026Mō te tūranga mahi | About the roleAs a Private Secretary, you will play a critical role ensuring the Ministry for the Environment delivers high quality, response advice and support to our Minister.Based at Parliament you will:
  • Provide policy and operational advice and analysis on the Environment portfolio.
  • Facilitate efficient communication between the Ministry and the Minister's office to ensure critical information reaches people in a timely way.
  • Ensure political staff are informed about major issues relating to the Minister's portfolio and convey their requests back to the Ministry.
  • Coordinate and manage ministerial correspondence including responses to correspondence, Official Information Act (OIA) requests, Parliamentary questions and briefings required for meetings.
  • Exercise sound judgment in handling complex issues, recognising when to provide advice and when to consult with colleagues at the Ministry for further support.
  • Build and maintain effective relationships with other private secretaries, Ministers' staff, as well as senior leaders at the Ministry for the Environment and other key stakeholders.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experienceOur ideal candidate will bring:
  • Experience working as a Private Secretary and a strong understanding of government processes.
  • Exceptional analytical and advisory skills, with the ability to succinctly summarise information across a range of issues.
  • The ability to work at pace to manage competing demands and prioritise effectively to meet deadlines.
  • Strong judgement and communication skills to ensure stakeholders are kept informed appropriately and work is commissioned clearly.
  • Superb organisation and attention to detail with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
  • The ability to hold a New Zealand Government National Security Clearance will be required for this position.
Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau | Salary rangeSalary range for this role is $110,501 to $134,128 pa. Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.Tono ināianei | Apply nowApply 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 Ngaire Howes at Ngaire.howes@mfe.govt.nz. The position description is available via our careers centre .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 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.Please note, we will be progressing candidates to interview prior to the closing date so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.Rā Katinga | Applications close: Sunday, 14 September 2025

New Zealand Government