Principal Solicitor

Ko wai mātou | Our Organisation
It's not very often something happens that's big; like, really big. Big to the point that it will touch the lives of every single person in the motu. That's what we're talking about here. The provision of health services in Aotearoa, and how they are delivered, is about to change in a big way.
Te Whatu Ora-Health New Zealand and Te Aka Whai Ora-Māori Health Authority will together shape the delivery of health services in Aotearoa for generations to come and will form the core of a modern and integrated service looking after the needs of all our whānau. Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellness'. Whatu is the combining together of people, resources, organisations, thoughts and actions for the betterment and wellbeing of all. Whatu is also a direct reference to the pupil of the eye, and the vision required of the new entity and system. Join us in this mahi...
Te whiwhinga mahi | The Opportunity
The purpose of the Principal Solicitor role is to lead the provision of high-quality, system-minded, and client-focused legal advice across all levels of the organisation. This role is particularly focused on constitutional and public law, governance, regulators and litigation. In this role, you will develop constructive and creative legal solutions to take advantage of opportunities and respond to problems. You will drive the steady and efficient management of longer-term legal matters and develop systems, processes, and training to ensure in-house legal services are of a consistently high quality. You will also manage and mentor other lawyers in the legal team, and instruct and work closely with external legal counsel as required.
You will lead the establishment of partnerships between clients and the legal team to ensure legal expertise and advice is provided to inform future decision making for work programmes that best support the delivery of the Government's and Ministry's priorities and objectives. You will need to regularly engage with members of the Executive Leadership team and, as necessary and appropriate, with the Board of Te Whatu Ora on key legal risks, issues and strategies.
Legal Services is comprised of a national team of highly skilled lawyers working in specialist roles, and District teams supporting the operational work of our hospitals and community services in the districts and regions. Our work covers public law, procurement of goods and services including commercial, construction, ICT, health law and governance. We also link in with the employment law team regularly. We have a relatively flat structure and work together to support one another, our clients and our patients across the mōtu. Our legal function is in the development phase and holds great potential for involvement in a variety of legal issues and projects across the organisation.
Mōu | About you
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

**You will have**:

- Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a willingness to learn and grow
- A tertiary qualification in Law
- Qualified and eligible to hold a practicing certificate as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand
- At least seven years' post-qualification experience working as a lawyer
- Experience in implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action
- Working knowledge and experience with government processes, machinery of government and working with legislation

Nau mai, uru mai | Come and join us
Ko te mahi e tika ana mō te ao hurihuri nei |Work that suits today's ever -changing world
This is a truly rewarding role where you will come to work each day making a difference, leading change, and creating capabilities across our health service. Te Whatu Ora supports flexible and hybrid working, and offers learning and growth opportunities for staff.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply