Legal Counsel

2 weeks ago

Auckland City, New Zealand New Zealand Customs Service Full time

Are you a lawyer looking for exciting and meaningful work?
- Do you want to play an important role in the protection of New Zealand's borders?
- Work with a team that values collaboration and innovation
- Opportunities for growth and career development
- Be part of a progressive, inclusive and dynamic business
- Auckland based with options to work flexibly from home.

We are looking for a Legal Counsel to join the Customs Legal - Operations team, based in our Auckland Customhouse. **This position is a full-time fixed term/secondment opportunity to mid-January 2026.**

**About this role**

Reporting to the Chief Legal Counsel - Operations, you will work across many exciting legal areas, including law enforcement, national security, drugs and other prohibited goods, and tax/revenue collection. The Customs Legal - Operations team works in a fast-paced operational environment providing legal advice on a wide range of issues arising under the Customs and Excise Act 2018 and other Acts we enforce at the border.

Working as part of a supportive and engaged legal team that is committed to encouraging career development, you will work to achieve excellent results and enjoy using your initiative, judgement and experience. You will provide expert advice on a wide range of legal matters affecting Customs and ensure the delivery of high-quality advice and professional service. You will enjoy engaging with the business to deliver results and, where appropriate, mentor less experienced colleagues to support their development in role.

**To be successful as a Legal Counsel - Operations, you will**:

- have excellent legal research, statutory interpretation, and advice writing skills;
- build strong relationships to work in partnership with officers, managers, other government departments, and external partners;
- currently hold or be eligible to hold a New Zealand practising certificate; and
- have a genuine interest in Customs and border protection.

**How to apply**

To join Customs in any role you must be a **New Zealand citizen or NZ permanent resident**.

Applicants must have **New Zealand Citizenship** or have **NZ Permanent Residency** and be able to obtain and maintain an organisational security clearance to a higher level. The successful applicant will also be required to pass an initial drug test.

**For interest in a secondment opportunity, please ensure that you have the approval and support of your manager before applying.**

**Applications close at 5pm, Friday 20 June 2025.**

**Job details**:

- Reference #
- 44829
- Posted on
- 11 Jun 2025
- Closes on
- 20 Jun 2025
- Location(s)
- Auckland
- Expertise
- Legal
- Job level(s)
- Experienced
- Work type(s)
- Fixed Term Full Time, Secondment Full Time
- Additional attachment

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