Principal Advisor Governance

2 weeks ago

Auckland CBD, New Zealand Auckland Council Full time NZ$126,000 - NZ$140,000 per year
  • Work at the heart of the city's governance
  • Great culture and support
  • Flexible working and option to purchase an extra week of leave

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Council has an opportunity for a sharp, strategic thinker to work at the heart of the city's governance - a critical role dedicated to the smooth and effective running of democracy in Australasia's biggest local authority. The Principal Advisor Governance role is an essential part of the Governance and Engagement Department, helping the organisation engage with Auckland's 172 elected members and providing the advice and insights to keep democracy strong and healthy.

You could expect to work on:

  • finding solutions to complex and high-profile issues
  • improving policy and processes for efficiency and transparency across the Governing Body and 21 local boards
  • advising on submissions to government policies
  • resolving conflicts
  • coaching dedicated and talented colleagues in political management

He kōrero mōu: About you

This role needs great judgment and political nous, that you will have built up with experience in similar roles within large, complex or political organisations.

We will be looking for specific experience with the key role requirements:

  • policy and report writing
  • analysis, critical evaluation and problem-solving
  • diplomacy and negotiation
  • working with Tāmaki Makaurau's breadth of communities and cultures
  • interpreting legislation

We still encourage you to apply if you have some but not all these requirements.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

At Auckland Council, you will join a dynamic, supportive environment where your mahi (work) will directly impact the lives of over 1.7 million Aucklanders. We offer flexible working conditions, a focus on well-being, and a culture of continuous improvement.

We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick, a signatory of the Pride Pledge. These commitments reflect our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of.

View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits HERE

Me Tono Ināianei: Apply Now

Applications close: 18 November 2025

Find a copy of the position description HERE

If you have any support or access requirements, please advise us when submitting your application so we can assist you.

This role has a remuneration range of $126,000 to $140,000

Our employer Kiwisaver contribution is additional to base salary offered.

workingforauckland #flexibleworking #governancejobs

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.

  • Principal Advisor

    4 days ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand New Zealand Government Full time

    New Zealand Police is working with the community to make New Zealanders be safe and feel safe. With over 13,000 staff, we provide policing services 24 hours a day, every day. We operate by land, sea and air, manage over 860,000 emergency calls a year and are always actively preventing crime and crashes. We’re working towards specific goals and targets...

  • Principal Advisor

    4 days ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Full time

    **Lead the advisory and business reporting for the National Public Health Service**: - **Location: Auckland or Wellington**: - **12 month Fixed-Term, Full-Time opportunity** Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders. **About the...

  • Governance Advisor

    2 weeks ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand New Zealand Government Full time

    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...

  • Principal Advisor Regulation

    15 hours ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand New Zealand Government Full time

    MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders. Discover a career with purpose at MBIE - This is your opportunity to step up and utilise your extensive legislative knowledge to solve complex issues in building regulation - Work with those who are invested in New...

  • Principal Advisor

    4 weeks ago

    Auckland, New Zealand Statistics New Zealand Full time

    Join an organisation contributing to meaningful outcomes, About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa – data that improves lives today and for generations to come. Lead strategic financial advice that shapes the future of Stats NZ Work across the organisation to embed financial sustainability Influence long-term investment decisions that support public value. Stats NZ |...

  • Principal Advisor

    1 week ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand New Zealand Government Full time

    Mō te tūnga | About the role HUD is taking a deliberate, place-based approach to tackling New Zealand's housing and urban development challenges. This approach uses an understanding of places to inform how we work with communities. Every community has their own housing and urban development challenges and opportunities and a 'one size fits all' approach...

  • Principal IT Service Advisor

    6 days ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand Mott MacDonald Full time

    Principal IT Service Advisor **Location(s)**:Auckland Central, NZ **Country**:New Zealand **Position Location**:Auckland, New Zealand **Contract Type**:Permanent **Work Pattern**:Full Time **Market**:Various **Discipline**:Information technology **Job Ref**:6300 **Recruiter Contact**:Matt McKenzie - Mott MacDonald is a uniquely diverse...

  • Principal Advisor – Communications

    4 days ago

    Auckland CBD, New Zealand Kainga Ora Full time

    Great opportunity to step into a key strategic communications advisory role leading out communications advice and strategies for construction and urban development business groups, projects and issues across Kāinga OraUse your communications and relationship building skills to enable the organisation to build trust with its internal and external...

  • Principal Advisor

    15 hours ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand New Zealand Government Full time

    An exciting new role based in Auckland - Help shape engagement strategies that uplift community wellbeing aspirations and influence system change - Salary midpoint of $136,833, actual salary dependent on your experience Ko wai mātou - About Us At Manatū Hauora we are the kaitiaki of the health system, providing leadership and driving strategy and...

  • Principal Advisor, Commissioning Business Services

    4 days ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Full time

    **Contribute to transforming the future of health**: - **Flexible working supported to balance your work and lifestyle**: - **Based in our Northern Region** Join Te Whatu Ora at a key time, where you will meaningfully contribute to our kaupapa of creating a more equitable, accessible, cohesive and people-centred health system. This mahi will improve the...