Senior Policy Advisor | Tourism Stewardship and Systems

• Actively shape and lead policy advice on the Government’s role in tourism in Aotearoa.
• Apply your expertise to system-wide issues in a fast-paced environment, while mentoring and coaching team members.
• Salary: $110,098 - $138,028 plus KiwiSaver and Wellness Benefits | Wellington-based.

Tourism is a vital pillar of New Zealand’s economy, as our second largest export earner and supporting over 6.4% of total employment. With $44.4 billion in total tourism expenditure in the year ending March 2024, the sector plays a key role in New Zealand’s regional development, international engagement, and sustainable growth.

The Government has set an ambitious goal to double the value of tourism exports over the next ten years and is currently undertaking a review of the tourism system to support this goal. As a Senior Policy Advisor in this space, you will play a leading role in delivering on this work programme, across issues such as how to best drive demand from international visitors and ensuring the system has the right infrastructure and funding in place to support long-term growth for our people and places.

 
This role will suit candidates who are comfortable dealing with ambiguity and working at pace delivering advice to Ministers. We work closely with a range of other agencies and industry stakeholders. There is also the opportunity to support the development of team members through coaching and mentoring.

About the Team
In the Tourism Stewardship and Systems team, we develop a deep understanding of the costs and benefits of tourism in New Zealand. We think strategically about the role of Government in supporting the growth of tourism in New Zealand and how the system should be set up to support our long-term goals. We use a wide spectrum of policy levers including coordinating and influencing, funding and some regulatory change. One of our primary roles is to advise on how central government can invest the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy effectively to support the tourism system. 

 
This role sits in the Tourism and Hospitality Branch, within the Labour Science and Enterprise Group of MBIE. Our work drives Aotearoa’s economic transformation and shapes economic development thinking to create a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive economy. In an ambiguous and complex environment, we work in partnership to actively provide respected and frank advice, to influence and coordinate, and deliver policy solutions that work. 

Why work for us?
Developing our policy staff is a key focus for MBIE.  We have a culture where policy staff are empowered to bring fresh perspectives to issues and to think ‘outside the box’.  Being the largest ‘policy shop’ in New Zealand, MBIE offers significant opportunity for developing experience across a broad variety of areas. We encourage excellence and proactively support development through on-the-job learning, training courses, conferences and seminars, development programmes, secondments, rotations to other branches and study opportunities.

Experience in economic development or tourism policy would be valuable, as would experience in interpreting data and applying quantitative skills to produce insightful and evidence-based policy advice. Most important is the ability to think analytically and strategically through issues. An ability to engage effectively with sector stakeholders to influence outcomes is critical.
 

We are keen to hear from you if you:

• Have experience at Senior Policy Advisor level in central government (or immediately comparable experience with a strong understanding of government policy processes).
• Are a strong critical thinker and problem solver.
• Can effectively lead and deliver complex projects and provide robust advice.
• Develop credible, respected relationships and engage with diverse stakeholders (including Ministers, staff in partner agencies, industry partners, and other key external stakeholders).
• Communicate complex issues clearly and coherently.
• Have provided and want to further develop coaching and mentoring support to others.
• Have a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude and be flexible and adaptive to changes in requirements.
• Have the legal right to live and work in NZ.

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders. Our work is underpinned by one clear aspiration, to Grow New Zealand for All.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.
MBIE has been rated New Zealand’s second most attractive employer for 2025 in the Ranstad Employer Branch Research, reflecting our varied and meaningful work and opportunities for growth and development.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

 
•    Mahi Tahi – Better Together
•    Māia – Bold and brave
•    Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
•    Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

 
Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahungaroa o ngāi wi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, katutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapakua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Click here to view a position description. 

All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV tailored to the advert and PD outlining your interest and suitability for the role. 

Email Fati Tagata at fati.tagata@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/17657 if you have any further questions.

 
Applications close on Thursday 4 September 2025.