Description
The Ministry acts in the world to build a safer, more prosperous and more sustainable future for New Zealanders.
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- Kia hangai ake e te Manatu he ao-haumaru, ao-tonui, ao-pumau, ki te oranga tonutanga _mo Aotearoa whanui.
- Provide legal support to New Zealand's diplomats at home and overseas
- Join a high performing, collaborative legal team
- Build your career in a key government department
Bring your legal skills and judgement to the distinctive foreign affairs and trade environment. You will advise on a broad range of corporate and public law matters arising across New Zealand's global network.
About the role - Korero mo te turanga
Our Corporate Legal Unit provides legal support to every part of the Ministry, enabling our people in Wellington and at posts offshore to deliver outcomes that make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous. The Legal Counsel is a specialist professional position in our Corporate Legal Unit.
As Legal Counsel, you will work closely with other team members, contributing to advice across contracting, procurement, public law, privacy, the Official Information Act, consular matters, diplomatic law and litigation. You'll gain exposure to a broad mix of corporate and public sector work, including matters involving New Zealanders overseas, diplomats in New Zealand, and legal issues that arise across our global network.
This role is ideally suited to a capable and collaborative lawyer looking to broaden their legal experience and build their expertise in a genuinely unique environment.
Responsibilities include:
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- Providing advice on corporate legal matters, including property issues and leasing arrangements.
- Supporting the management of litigation and contributing to the development of legislation.
- Advising on core public sector issues, including constitutional and administrative law, Te Tiriti o Waitangi matters, and Official Information Act and privacy law.
To view the full position description, click here.
The appointment salary range for this role is $78,043 to $91,815 Total Fixed Remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver contribution - negotiable depending on experience.
Who are we looking for? - Ma wai te mahi nei?
- Collaborative, capable and eager to grow their legal skills
- Holding an LLBand holding or being eligible to hold an* NZLS practising certificate*:
Bringing around 3 years post-admission experience:
Able to analyse issues and communicate complex information clearly
- Interested in developing expertise across public law, contracting, privacy and diplomatic law
- Comfortable working with colleagues from diverse backgrounds
- Familiar with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and committed to continuing to build capability in this space
Why MFAT? - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Aorere?**
**We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development, and flexible work options consistent with guidance from the Public Service Commission. Check out our benefits page to find out more about why we love working here.
About us - Mo matou
**Our people represent New Zealand on and offshore, and in doing so make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous. By building connections with and influencing other countries and international institutions, we advance New Zealand's interests and pursue New Zealand's values. We provide advice to the Government on the implications for New Zealand of what is happening in the world.
To Apply/Interested - Me pehea te tuku tono
You must be able to obtain and maintain an appropriate NZ Government Security clearance.
Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Confidentialsecurity clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process:
Applications close at 9:00pm on Wednesday 11th February, 2026.
**Please note: This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role. This is a 'Corporate' role (known here as a specialist role) based in central Wellington, NZ.