Senior Facilitator

Job Description

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

We are seeking a skilled analyst or advisor with experience supporting commissions of inquiry or other investigatory bodies, who is ready to take the next step in their career. You will join our Inquiry Facilitation team to support the important work of the Waitangi Tribunal.

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.

This role is one of four Senior Facilitators who play a key analyst and advisor role within the Inquiry Facilitation team. With support from our Principal Facilitator, you will lead advice on the design and running of inquiries, working closely with Tribunal inquiry panels to scope and shape inquiries. You also provide day-to-day oversight and mentoring for our Researcher/Analyst facilitation staff.

We're looking for applicants who are highly collaborative, have strong analytical skills and thrive in a fast-paced work environment with multiple workstreams. You will be able to quickly build and maintain strong working relationships with members of the judiciary, Tribunal members and colleagues across the Waitangi Tribunal Unit.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• experience in a commission of inquiry, court or tribunal setting, or other investigatory bodies and knowledge and understanding of inquiry processes

• 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

• understanding of public policy processes and machinery of government, and their relationship to te Tiriti and the Māori Crown relationship

• a tertiary qualification in public policy, Māori studies, law, New Zealand history, or another relevant discipline

• ability to effectively planning and prioritising your own workload, as well as coordinating the tasks of inquiry teams

• strong verbal and written communication skills, with a strong focus on customer service.

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

• te reo Māori allowance

• 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 full remuneration band for this role is $99,208 and $135,539. We are looking to appoint between $99,208 and $114,541 depending on the successful candidate's skills, experience, and relative fit for the role.

Tono mai/Apply

To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website. You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV, cover letter and a writing sample.

The writing sample should be between 10 and 20 pages and demonstrate your professional writing skills (eg, a piece of policy advice, university essay, legal advice, or other piece of writing that demonstrates your written communication skills).

Applications close on 15 November 2026; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and may invite potential candidates to interview before the close date.

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

Follow us on LinkedIn