Researcher Analyst | Wellington City

Job Description

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

Due to an internal promotion, we are looking for a Researcher Analyst to join our Inquiry Facilitation team. We are looking for an enthusiastic team player who want to gain public service experience in a commission of inquiry environment.

As a Researcher Analyst in the Inquiry Facilitation team you will work with Waitangi Tribunal panels, claimants and counsel, and with colleagues across the Waitangi Tribunal Unit to deliver high-quality inquiry and hearing facilitation services. You will be highly collaborative, analytical and thrive in a fast-paced work environment with multiple workstreams.

Researcher Analysts play a vital role in the day-to-day running of Tribunal inquiry processes. They work closely with Senior Facilitators and inquiry panels. You will be able to quickly build and maintain strong working relationships with members of the judiciary (presiding officers), Tribunal members and colleagues across the Waitangi Tribunal Unit.

The Waitangi Tribunal Unit provides a comprehensive range of services to the Waitangi Tribunal, a permanent commission of inquiry that inquires into and reports on claims submitted by Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• a tertiary qualification in public policy, Māori studies, law, New Zealand history, or another relevant discipline
• strong verbal and written communication skills, with a strong focus on customer service
• a clear understanding of and commitment to the work of the Waitangi Tribunal, with a genuine interest in engaging with te ao Māori
• knowledge of te reo Māori, tikanga, and mātauranga Māori would be beneficial
• experience working in the public service or in related organisations would be beneficial.

Mō mātou/About us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

The Inquiry Facilitation team is responsible for facilitating the flow of information to support official Tribunal events, providing robust procedural analysis and advice, drafting judicial memoranda-directions, evidential analysis, and inquiry planning to support the Tribunal hearings.

The team works closely with a wide range of people including the judiciary, Tribunal members, claimants and counsel, and engages with and provides analysis and advice on a variety of inquiry material, evidence and submissions.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions. 

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here

We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:

• 4.4 weeks holiday leave
• an online professional development portal
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here.

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

Utu ā-tau/Salary

The remuneration band for this role is from $74,634 to $100,846 and we are looking to appoint up to the mid-point of $85,000, depending on the successful candidate's skills, experience, and relative fit for the role.

Tono mai/Apply

You can view a detailed position description here. Applicants for this role in the Inquiry Facilitation team should pay particular attention to the tasks in the position description under the headings Inquiry Facilitation, Work Programme Delivery, Analysis, and Project and Inquiry Management.

To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website. Please complete an online application form by attaching your CV, cover letter and a short writing sample.

The writing sample should be between 5 and 10 pages and demonstrate your professional writing skills. Examples of your writing could include an essay, policy paper, a legal memorandum or similar piece of work.

Applications close on 27 September 2026; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz

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