Principal Adviser

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Job Title: Principal Adviser, Economic Data & Analysis

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Wellington City

Salary band & range: GSR B, $138,938 to $186,493 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are seeking a Principal Adviser to join our Strategy, Insights and Evidence directorate, which sits within Policy and Trade. The Policy and Trade business unit provides sector-level strategic thinking and evidence-based advice for effective government decision-making for systems related to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, biosecurity, food, animal welfare, and rural communities.

The work of Policy and Trade underpins the performance of the economy across areas that matter to all New Zealanders, like the safety of our food, climate change, animal welfare, biosecurity, rural communities, fisheries, and much more.

In this role you'll partner with key industry stakeholders to address the economic challenges facing our primary sectors as they transition to a productive, sustainable, low-emissions future. You'll also play a key part in improving MPI's economic capability and understanding of the opportunities and barriers facing our primary sectors.

As a curious and enthusiastic individual, you will play a key role in the use of pastoral sector knowledge, economic thinking, and an understanding of global supply chain and corporate trade relationships to inform and influence policy decisions and answer the important macroeconomic questions facing our primary industries. You'll be able to distil large volumes of technical information into pragmatic advice for policy and decision makers and effectively communicate opportunities and barriers to economic growth in the food and fibre sector.

As a Principal Adviser, you will:

• Act as a thought leader within the Ministry by ensuring high profile policy analysis is underpinned by credible economic rationale
• Lead the twice-yearly production of MPI's Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) publication as a subject matter expert
• Drive the selection and completion of strategic research projects to ensure MPI is well-prepared and proactive in addressing expected challenges and opportunities
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key individuals across the spectrum of stakeholders, Māori, government, and non-government agencies
• Provide training and mentoring in areas of farming and growing, firm-level analysis, and strategic thinking across Policy and Trade

About You - Mōu

To be successful in this role, you'll have a passion for growing and understanding our primary sectors, with relevant experience with the pastoral farming sector, consulting, business, banking, or as an economist or related role. You'll be a thought-leader who is comfortable drawing insights from quantitative and qualitative information, sharp with data and able to distil information into relevant, narrative-rich analysis and advice.

Your strong collaboration and communication skills will help you build lasting networks across government and the food and fibre sector, while uplifting branch capability through mentoring and guiding the development of junior staff. You will challenge conventional norms and use strategic thinking and analytical skills to transform the way information is collected, used, and shared.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• A tertiary qualification in economics, finance, or a related discipline
• Detailed and comprehensive knowledge of macroeconomics and how economic principles apply in the New Zealand primary sector context
• A rich understanding of the economic, biophysical, and regulatory challenges and opportunities faced by New Zealand's pastoral farmers and food processors
• Proven understanding of the world trade environment and the constraints and opportunities for NZ primary products
• Ability to apply abstract economic concepts to real-world situations and influencing decision makers
• Proven ability to provide specialist knowledge and experience in a manner that is easily understood by a range of audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills; the ability to effectively engage with a wide range of persons with interest and involvement in the primary sector
• Experience building and maintaining effective relationships across a range of groups and individuals with potentially conflicting interests
• Strong mentoring and training skills to enable staff growth and development

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit. 

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

You will be based in our Wellington office, reporting to the Manager Economic Data & Analysis, and working alongside a high performing group where team culture plays a key role in their success.

MPI's Economic Data and Analysis team investigates emerging trends in agricultural production, trade, and the wider economic environment in which we operate to understand what the changing world means for the future of our primary industries.  We're committed to creating an environment that promotes teamwork and collaboration, ensuring everyone is contributing to our success and achieving collective goals.

If you're passionate about economics and our primary industries and want to make sure the government can support our farmers and growers so they can sustainably grow their businesses, this is the opportunity you've been searching for.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

Security Checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

 If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?

MPI is committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your Cover Letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have been gained inside and outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday, 06 August 2025

If you have any questions about the role, please email Fiona.Ramson@mpi.govt.nz

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