Tawatawa ā-whare

Tō mātou whakakitenga | Our vision

Kia mahi ngātahi mō Pōneke mō tōna āpōpō

Working together for Wellington's future

Ō mātou uara | Our values

He tangata, he tangata, he tangata

We put people at the heart of what we do

Whakapai ake

We’re always improving

Mahi ngātahi

We collaborate

Mana tiaki

We care for our places

To learn more about Wellington City Council visit wellington.govt.nz

Ngā Taipitopito Tūranga | Role details

Group Mataaho Aronui Business unit Tukutuku Māori

Reports to Kāiawhā Location Wellington CBD

Purpose of the team:

The Tukutuku Māori team is the relationships and strategy arm of Mataaho Aronui and supports strategic advice,

effective decision making, and execution of strategic initiatives.

Purpose of the role:

The Tawatawa ā-whare is reponsible for monitoring and reporting on Council’s progress on Tākai Here and Tūpiki Ora to a

wide range of internal and external stakeholders. The reporting must integrate with existing Council planning and

performance cycles and practices. The Tawatawa-a-whare is also responsible for the design and implementation of the

systems and structures required to capture, analyse and visualise data for reporting and decision making.

2

Āu ake mahi | What you’ll do

Accountabilities Responsibilities

Reporting and

analysis

• Develop and maintain performance reporting systems and processes, including data collection and analysis, that support Mataaho Aronui, Council leadership, Elected Members and Tākai Here partners to measure progress.

• Prepare regular reporting to a broad range of internal and external stakeholders and audiences, including input into internal reporting and other strategies across the wider organisation to help our Elected Members, ELT, Tākai

• Here partners and members of the public see the impact of our work.

• Undertake robust analysis and provide insights into performance against agreed deliverables and outcomes for Mataaho Aronui and our Tātai Heke Māori (Chief Māori Officer) to enable evidence-based decision making and prioritisation.

• Provide comprehensive expertise in data analytics, visualization, and quality assurance, for Mataaho Aronui, the Planning and Reporting team, Legal team and our ELT, ensuring high standards in data-driven decision-making within Mataaho Aronui, and our ELT.

• Provide SME advice to the team, and across the organisation on how to integrate reporting with existing systems, processes, and performance reports to enable efficient and integrated reporting.

• Provide specialised advice on Māori data, including Māori data governance and sovereignty, ensuring culturally appropriate management and use of Māori data within the organisation.

• Maintain, monitor, and regularly update the strategic risk profile related to Tūpiki Ora and Tākai Here for approval by Council’s Audit and Risk Committee.

• Recommend and contribute to activities that provide assurance on the management of operational and strategic risk.

• Provide guidance and advice to ELT and Council staff in the preparation and presentation of information and advice to elected members.

Engagement and

Partnerships

• Lead, develop and support activities across the BU and the organisation to introduce new ways of working by providing information, analysis and critical thinking at design, planning, and implementation stages.

• Lead and carry out engagement with internal business partners and external stakeholders, ensuring a collaborative approach to data capture and management is taken.

• Show curiosity, flexibility, and openness in analysing and integrating ideas, information, and differing perspectives; to make fit-for-purpose decisions.

Coaching and

mentoring

• Develop resources and systems for data capture, management and storage for others in

the team and the organisation

• Coach and mentor those within BUs to embed good data capture and management skills

and practices in line with Māori data sovereignty principles

• Build capability amongst peers in Mataaho Aronui and other key BUs that we partner with

to bring an increased level of maturity to data analysis, visualisation and in the use of data

to make evidence-based decisions.

Stakeholder

Engagement

• Create and maintain trustworthy relationships with clients across Council and externally.

• Develop and maintain a good working relationship with the Executive Leadership Team

members, Leadership Group and Council staff and other interested parties.

• Establish and nurture strong key internal and external relationships to ensure work is

effectively delivered.

• Build strong effective relationships, using best practice engagement and collaboration, with a

diverse group of stakeholders to maximise the effectiveness of Mataaho Aronui and Council

to deliver on Tūpiki Ora.

• Influence both internally and externally to ensure sound decision making that result in the

best outcomes, eliminates roadblocks, and promotes better decisions.

3

Service improvement • Assist in building a culture of learning and consistent improvement within the BU and with

key internal teams we partner with.

• Champion the development and integration of innovative tools and methods that enable

service management and enhance performance reporting processes, driving efficiency

improvements and capability uplift within Mataaho Aronui and the organisation.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi • Acknowledge and apply a strong understanding of the Council’s Tiriti o Waitangi obligations

and organisational policies.

• Acknowledge kaupapa and tikanga Māori when working with others and with data,

especially in the application of Māori data sovereignty frameworks and principles.

• Show leadership of commitment and strong understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the

principles: partnership, participation, and protection.

• Establish and maintain effective professional relationships focused on the wellbeing of our

staff and ultimately our community by demonstrating commitment to ongoing professional

learning and development of personal practice relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

• Actively participate in the Tākai Here partnership relationship with mana whenua and

Māori.

Health and safety • Take responsibility for your work environment; identify and report hazards and risks to

ensure they are addressed

• Ensure all health, safety and security incidents are reported

• Take reasonable care of your own health, safety, security, and wellbeing

• Take reasonable care that what you do or don’t do does not adversely affect the health,

safety, security, and wellbeing of other people

• Cooperate with any reasonable workplace health, safety or security policy or procedure,

• Comply with any reasonable instructions given

4

Ngā tohu me ngā wheako | Qualifications and experience

Qualifications • A tertiary qualification in business with a specific focus on strategic/business planning and

reporting; and/or 5 – 8 years’ experience in a similar role

Experience and

knowledge

• Previous experience in a planning or corporate reporting role at an organisational or large

group level

• Proven understanding of how to align and integrate programme management reporting

into corporate reporting

• Demonstrated experience in developing tools and products to monitor and report

performance

• Proficiency with Microsoft tools such as Power BI, Excel Planner and Lists

• Sound analytical skills and experience, including data collection and analysis

• Understanding of mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori principles

• Experience working with hapori Māori, iwi Māori in a community improvement context.

• Knowledge of customer relationship management (CRM) practices

• Aptitude for fostering positive relationships

• Excellent conflict resolution and interpersonal skills

• Experience building relationships across all levels of an organisation, both internally and

externally

• Stakeholder management and the ability to engage, influence and persuade Intellectual

horsepower with a down-to-earth approach to leading and managing

• A proven track record of high-quality advice and sound judgement in ambiguous and

sensitive contexts.

• Demonstrated change management planning and implementation experience and a

sound understanding of design led thinking

• Demonstrated familiarity with the legislation underpinning local government activity e.g.

Local Government Act 2002 and other relevant legislation and in particular an

understanding of the responsibilities the legislation imposes upon, and the opportunities

the legislation provides for the Council

• Development of performance reporting, measurement, and research programmes,

including data utilisation and presentation

• Exceptional written, visual, and oral communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to

present well-crafted detailed analysis and arguments

Ngā Pūkenga mahi | Role dimensions

Reports

Direct reports N/A Indirect reports N/A

DFA Level Nil Budget Nil

Key relationships

Internal • Chief Advisors across WCC

• ELT Members

• Elected Members

• Council business units and teams that we partner with to achieve strategic goals

External • Iwi and Māori Organisations

• Māori Businesses and Community organisations (Māori Wardens, Māori Women’s Welfare League etc)

• Council controlled organisations

• Industry bodies

5

• Other councils in the Wellington region (and beyond)

• Central Government Ministries & Departments

• Community and stakeholder interest groups

Last reviewed March 2025

6

Tirohanga whānui o ngā pūkenga matua | Overview of core capabilities

Category Capability Description

Māori Capability

Te Hoe Urungi Represents capabilities that are grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Te Hoe Piripiri Represents capabilities that value a te ao Māori perspective

Te Hoe Whakaara Represents capabilities that support achieving tangible and

equitable outcomes for Māori.

Te Hoe Takaki Represents specialist capabilities in relation to Te Taiao or the

environment that the individual is working in.

Expertise Specialist expertise Show technical expertise as required by your role.

Decisions Analytical skills Analyse information to solve problems and make decisions.

Making our vision real Support the Council to achieve its vision and priorities.

Results

Achievement drive Show ambition and initiative, and take accountability.

Performing and delivering Plan and organise to deliver results and improve how

work is done.

Customer engagement Engage effectively with our customers to understand

and respond to their perspectives and needs.

Managing risk Identify risks and take action to manage them.

Health and safety Identify risks to health, safety, and wellbeing, and take action

to manage them.

Influence

Communicating Communicate clearly, respectfully and with impact.

Assertiveness State your views plainly and resolve conflicts directly.

Persuasiveness Persuade and inspire others.

Political acumen Work effectively within the local government context.

People

Connecting Show empathy, listen actively and connect with others.

Collaborating Build relationships and work with others to achieve

common goals.

Inclusiveness Work inclusively with people from different backgrounds and with

different abilities.

Developing self and others Invest in your personal development and

developing others.

Level: 24 Page 1 of 6

Business Unit Legal

Location Wellington

Type Permanent fulltime

Last Updated July 2025

Ko wai mātou | About us

The Water Services Authority–Taumata Arowai is the water services regulator for Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to ensuring all communities have access to safe and reliable drinking water every day. We also have an oversight role in relation to the environmental performance of public drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater networks.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Position Purpose

The General Counsel leads the Authority’s legal and litigation functions to ensure it is provided with high quality and robust legal advisory services as a Crown entity and as a regulator. The General Counsel provides strategic legal advice and acts as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive, Board and Māori Advisory Group (Te Puna), and senior managers.

Reports to Chief Executive

Staff Up to 2 (direct reports may increase in response to the development of the Authority’s statutory functions).

Financial Authority Level 2 (refer to Delegations Policy)

Key Relationships

Internal

Board

Te Puna

Chief Executive and KOPA

Operations Group

Systems Strategy and Performance Group

Sector Advice and Relations Group

Managers and staff

External

Department of Internal Affairs (monitoring agency)

Crown Law

External legal providers

General Counsel Position Description

Level: 24 Page 2 of 6

Key Accountabilities

The general accountabilities of this role are set out below. They may change or grow over time, as the Authority’s statutory functions or business needs evolve

Executive Leadership

As a senior leader, you and your peers will be jointly accountable for the following:

• Participate in the development and delivery of organisational strategic objectives

• Ensure the Authority upholds its obligations to the Treaty of Waitangi, including in relation to Treaty settlements.

• Contribute to strategic planning that ensures the Authority takes a long-term, visionary approach to our role in the water sector

• Lead the development and implementation of the organisation’s strategies, and ensure all our people understand how they contribute to our success

• Create an environment that enables and reinforces high performance at every level by setting the organisation’s performance outcomes and leading delivery

• Ensure there is a strong focus on the delivery of organisational efficiencies to enhance effectiveness and increase productivity

• Ensure that the Authority is a leader within the water sector through the development of strategic partnerships with a range of partners and key stakeholders

• Ensure the organisation is founded on and maintains a diverse and inclusive culture, respecting the diversity of contributions of our people

• Place the safety, health, and wellbeing of all our people at the forefront of decision making

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, innovation, and organisational learning, and the promotion of and adherence to organisational values and behaviours

People Leadership

• Sustain a high performing team of trusted legal advisors who are capable of delivering both strategic and specialist advice and work in partnership with the business

• Ensure each team member has a clear understanding of how they contribute to the Authority’s vision, values, and mandate and have clear, measurable performance and development goals

• Ensure all team members demonstrate the Authority’s values and behaviours in their engagement with others

• Develop an environment within the team that encourages innovation and collaboration

• Embed and demonstrate awareness of, and responsiveness to, te ao Māori as a people leader

• Value and respect the diversity of contribution within the team and maintain an inclusive team culture

Relationship Management

• Develop and administer relationships with external legal providers and other in-house legal teams working in the government, water services, health, and environment sectors

Level: 24 Page 3 of 6

• Build collaborative and constructive relationships across the organisation to enhance ways of working and facilitate service delivery

• Represent the Authority in a range of legal, legislative and sector forums, including as part of the Integrity Champion network administered by the Public Service Commission

• Primary contact for Crown Law Public Prosecutions Unit, and Government Legal Network including Crown Entity Chief Legal Advisors forum

• Build capability and confidence in te ao Māori, recognising the organisation’s obligation to uphold upholding The Treaty of Waitangi

General Counsel • Act as a trusted legal advisor to the Chief Executive, Kaihautū ō Puni Arowai (KOPA), Board and Te Puna, providing them with high quality, accurate and timely legal advice and leadership to inform their decision making and support the Authority’s functions

• Provide ad hoc legal opinions and advice as required

• Support the Chief Executive, KOPA, Board and Te Puna to meet any legal reporting requirements in a timely way

• Ensure the Chief Executive and KOPA are informed of and understand any legal risks and issues in a no surprises manner

• Lead the development, prioritisation and implementation of plans and programmes of work across the Legal function that are aligned with the organisation’s strategies and direction

Legal Services • Manage the delivery of a fit for purpose suite of legal services for the Authority by leading and developing a team of engaged, business focussed lawyers who provide a high quality, responsive service to managers and staff

• Work closely with the organisation’s monitoring agency on legal and policy matters relating to the Authority

• Work closely with the Systems Strategy and Performance Group to support their work including strategic planning, legislative and operational policy, external reporting, official and personal information requests, and statutory interpretation

• Provide advice and guidance to the organisation on matters concerning the legislation administered by the Authority and matters relating to the operation of the organisation generally i.e. service delivery

• Lead the delivery of a legislative compliance programme, including periodic reporting to the Board

• Contribute to identifying ways that the Authority can better build sector capability through the development and application of regulatory policy and legislative tools

Level: 24 Page 4 of 6

• Provide expert input into wider Authority projects, groups and committees as required

• Advise and support the Board’s Finance, Risk and Assurance Committee (FRAC)

• Oversee or undertake drafting instructions and tasks for legislative change to support policy development and implementation

• Draft legal documents, including formal legal instruments, Gazette notices and secondary legislation

• Instruct external legal providers for the provision of specialised legal services i.e. employment law advice, while monitoring expenditure and performance in relation to these services

• Report to KOPA, FRAC, and the Board and Te Puna (as required) on privacy issues and performance as the Authority’s Privacy Officer (for the purposes of the Privacy Act 2020)

• As the Authority’s Executive Sponsor, for the purposes of information and records management, oversee all legal aspects related to Information Management, including data privacy, records management, and AI adoption. Responsible for advising on and implementing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations

• Ensure the organisation’s information and records management processes and activities comply with the Public Records Act 2025

• As the Authority’s Integrity Champion, champion ethical conduct, promoting a culture of integrity, and ensuring compliance with the State Sector Standards of Integrity and Conduct

• Assist teams to develop their legal interpretation and analysis capability by providing learning and development on legislation and other legal issues that apply to their roles

• Provide strategic leadership and advice on the negotiation, management and risk management of commercial and contractual matters including in relation to real property

• Ensure the organisation complies with all its statutory and legal compliance obligations

• Proactively identify potential areas of legal and organisational risk

• Participate in emergency responses (using the New Zealand Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS)) if required and support others to participate in response activity as required

• Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and best practice, including communicating to relevant staff when a change in practice is required and satisfying ongoing legal education requirements relating to the law or the practice of law

• Participate in training and other learning and development activities to help upskill Authority staff and, where appropriate, external personnel in relation to legal matters and issues

Level: 24 Page 5 of 6

Litigation • Provide leadership and direction on all formal enforcement activities and prosecution cases, including contributing to the preparation of prosecution files for counsel

• Retain and instruct external counsel as required, while thinking about the organisation’s litigation objectives

• Develop, maintain, and administer the organisation’s policies deemed to be owned by the Legal Team

• Manage the process for the resolution of legal issues

Health and safety … for self

• Work safely and take responsibility for keeping self and colleagues free from harm

• Report all incidents and hazards promptly

• Know what to do in the event of an emergency

• Cooperate in implementing return to work plans

… for team

• Inform, develop and equip staff to carry out their work safely

• Ensure prompt and accurate reporting and investigation of all workplace incidents and injuries

• Assess all hazards promptly and ensure they are managed

Level: 24 Page 6 of 6

Ko koe tēnei | About you

Qualifications

• Relevant legal qualification (minimum LLB)

• Admittance to the bar and a current practicing certificate as a barrister and solicitor in the High Court of New Zealand

Experience

• Experience leading and managing a corporate legal function

• Extensive experience providing legal advice in a regulatory environment in central or local government

• Experience managing people, resources, and work programmes

• Experience managing the legal risk profile of an organisation

• Experience providing strategic legal advice to Chief Executives and/or Boards in complex organisations

• Public law experience desirable

Knowledge

• Understanding of public and administrative law in the NZ state sector context

• Understanding of the NZ regulatory environment

• Understanding of the machinery of government and the public policy making process

• Understanding of government contracting processes, including all of government procurement and contracting

• Understanding of the Crown’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, its role in the NZ legal and political system, and in relation to Treaty settlements

• Understanding of the political, social, legal, economic, and environmental context in which the Authority operates

• Familiarity with resource management or environmental law concepts and practices desirable, but not essential

Skills and Attributes

• A strategic thinker with strong analytical ability to interpret complex information

• Strong client service ethos

• Demonstrated credibility to provide advice to Boards and Chief Executives

• Ability to work under pressure and manage ambiguity and complexity

• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and developing own capability in te ao Māori

• Successful demonstration of promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace

• Ability to translate and communicate complex topics in a variety of forums that influence targeted audiences

POSITION DESCRIPTION Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children

Title: Senior Solicitor - Litigation

Group: Policy and Organisational Strategy

Reports to: Regional Litigation Manager

Location: As specified

Direct Reports: No

Budget: No

OUR ORGANISATION

About us Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children is a Ministry dedicated to supporting any child in New Zealand whose wellbeing is at significant risk of harm now, or in the future. We also work with young people who may have offended, or are likely to offend. Our belief is that in the right environment, with the right people surrounding and nurturing them, any child can, and should flourish.

Our vision Our vision is: New Zealand values the wellbeing of tamariki above all else.

Our purpose Our purpose is: To ensure that all tamariki are in loving whānau and communities where oranga tamariki can be realised.

The Oranga Tamariki way

We’re introducing a new way of doing things. A way of looking at the world that guides everything we do:

Our core outcomes Our core outcomes are: - All children and young people are in loving families and communities

where they can be safe, strong, connected, and able to flourish. - Improved outcomes for all children, especially tamariki and rangatahi

Māori.

Position Description –Senior Solicitor (Litigation) – May 2018 2

POSITION PURPOSE

To deliver legal services to Oranga Tamariki. The role provides legal advice, legislation and advocacy

services on the range of operational and corporate issues facing Oranga Tamariki. The role will also

help Oranga Tamariki managers to identify legal risk and put in place strategies to manage this risk,

escalating significant business risk and identifying legal issues of importance to Oranga Tamariki.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Key Result area Key Accountabilities

Legal Advice and Services

- Provide high quality legal advice and advocacy for Oranga

Tamariki

- Provide support and assistance to managers in the management

of legal issues and risk

- Initiate and provide specialised non-adversarial dispute

resolutions and negotiations as required

- Actively promote the services available from Legal Services

- Assess the need for training and education with clients and

develop/deliver tailored training where necessary and as

requested

- Contribute suggestions for the initiation or amendment of the

policies and legislation of Oranga Tamariki

- Be responsible and accountable for the conduct of proceedings

in the District Court/Family Court/Youth Court or other Tribunal

as required

- Represent Oranga Tamariki in any other legal proceedings as

required

- Coordinate and liaise with Crown Solicitors, other practitioners,

Courts and other agencies throughout the area or areas assigned

- Instruct the Crown or other solicitors to conduct legal business

for Oranga Tamariki as required

- Provide assistance/mentoring to other legal colleagues

- Help clients manage the overall legal risk and develop strategies,

plans and actions to address these risks

- Identify improvement opportunities in area of practice and

ensure operating procedures are based on best practice

- Provide legal advice and advocacy to senior management as

required

- Actively participate in and contribute to future planning for Legal

Services (where appropriate).

Relationship Management - Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders

- Maintain a client focused approach

- Assist in building appropriate levels of understanding among key

stakeholders of the operations, imperatives and constraints of

Oranga Tamariki

Position Description –Senior Solicitor (Litigation) – May 2018 3

Key Result area Key Accountabilities

- Assist in building and maintaining close cooperative

relationships with key external providers of Legal Services (both

public and private sector)

- Establish and build strong working relationships at all levels of

Oranga Tamariki.

Team and Individual

Performance

- Participate in the development and operation of projects which

include team members and others throughout Oranga Tamariki

- Contribute to team communication activities

- Identify and act on personal learning and development

opportunities

- Participate in peer review of own and others work

- Lead projects which include team members and others

throughout Oranga Tamariki as required

- Provide leadership, mentoring and coaching within Legal

Services.

Leadership - Provide assistance, mentoring and coaching for less experienced

legal staff

- Provide leadership at a site or sub-team level, including (as

directed by the manager) the allocation and supervision of work

by others

- Work with managers, identify mentoring, training and

development needs for team members within the designated

areas of expertise, skill or knowledge and work with the manager

to see these needs are met

- Work with managers, proactively establish, maintain and monitor

effective quality assurance mechanisms within the designated

areas of expertise, skill or knowledge, ensuring all work meets/

exceeds national service standards

- Actively encourage others and seek out opportunities for

process improvement

- Guide and support colleagues; motivating legal staff to achieve

set objectives

- Contribute to practice development and innovative delivery

approaches within the team across Legal Services.

Being part of the Oranga

Tamariki team

- Actively and positively participate as a member of the team

- Proactively look for opportunities to improve the operations of

Oranga Tamariki

- From time to time, you may be required to perform other

reasonable duties as requested by your manager

- Comply with and support all health and safety policies,

guidelines and initiatives

- Ensure all incidents, injuries and near misses are reported into

our H&S reporting tool

- Comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements, and

Position Description –Senior Solicitor (Litigation) – May 2018 4

Key Result area Key Accountabilities

report any breaches as soon as they become known

- Adhere to all Oranga Tamariki procedures, policies, guidelines,

and standards of integrity and conduct

- Demonstrate a commitment to and respect for the Treaty of

Waitangi and incorporate these into your work.

Position Description –Senior Solicitor (Litigation) – May 2018 5

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal - Chief Legal Officer

- Deputy Chief Legal Officer

- Oranga Tamariki Legal Services Team

- Other Oranga Tamariki Staff

External - Relevant external agencies

- Crown Solicitor

- Crown Law

- Legal Practitioners

- The Judiciary

- The Law Society

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Qualifications - Been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand and

have (or be eligible for) a practicing certificate

Knowledge and Experience

- Extensive expertise in relevant areas of law in which Oranga

Tamariki operates

- Experience in the development of and adaptation of policy and

practice issues to ensure continuous improvement is made

- Extensive experience providing advice to clients within a

complex political environment or in conducting cases

autonomously and appearing before Courts and Tribunals.

Skills - Good computing typing skills and competency working with

Microsoft Office software

Other requirements - Willing to travel to fulfil job requirements

- Holds current drivers licence and is prepared to drive the

Ministry’s vehicles if required

1

Position Description | Te whakaturanga ō mahi

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

The Health System in Aotearoa is entering a period of transformation as we implement the

Pae Ora/Healthy Futures vision of a reformed system where people live longer in good health,

have improved quality of life, and there is equity between all groups.

We want to build a healthcare system that works collectively and cohesively around a shared

set of values and a culture that enables everyone to bring their best to work and feel proud

when they go home to their whānau, friends and community. The reforms are expected to

achieve five system shifts. These are:

1. The health system will reinforce Te Tiriti principles and obligations. 2. All people will be able to access a comprehensive range of support in their local

communities to help them stay well. 3. Everyone will have equal access to high quality emergency and specialist care when

they need it. 4. Digital services will provide more people the care they need in their homes and

communities. 5. Health and care workers will be valued and well-trained for the future health system.

Te Mauri o Rongo – The New Zealand Health Charter

The foundation for how we ensure our people are empowered, safe and supported while working to deliver a successful healthcare system, is Te Mauri o Rongo – the New Zealand Health Charter. It guides all of us as we work towards a healthcare system that is more responsive to the needs of, and accessible to all people in Aotearoa New Zealand. It applies to everyone in our organisation and sits alongside our code of conduct as our guiding document. Te Mauri o Rongo consists of four pou (pillars) within it, including:

Wairuatanga – working with heart, the strong sense of purpose and commitment to service that health workers bring to their mahi.

Rangatiratanga – as organisations we support our people to lead. We will know our people; we will grow those around us and be accountable with them in contributing to Pae Ora for all.

Title Senior Legal Counsel

Reports to Principal Legal Counsel

Location Auckland

Department Legal

Direct Reports Nil Total FTE 1

Budget Size Opex N/A Capex N/A

Delegated Authority

HR N/A Finance N/A

Date February 2025

2

hanaungatanga – we are a team, and together a team of teams. Regardless of our role, we work together for a common purpose. We look out for each other and keep each other safe.

Te Korowai Āhuru – a cloak which seeks to provide safety and comfort to the workforce. These values underpin how we relate to each other as we serve our whānau and communities. Together we will do this by:

• caring for the people

• recognising, supporting and valuing our people and the work we all do

• working together to design and deliver services, and

• defining the competencies and behaviours we expect from everyone.

About the role

The primary purpose of the role is to provide high quality and pragmatic commercial legal

advice and solutions to Health NZ.

Key Result Area Expected Outcomes / Performance Indicators

Legal Advice & Litigation Support

• Provide high quality and pragmatic legal advice and solutions to support staff and leadership on commercial legal matters.

• Drafting, reviewing, and advising on all manner of commercial contracts, agreements, MOUs, and similar documentation.

• Supporting staff and attending contract negotiations and other engagements with commercial vendors and their lawyers, NGO providers, Government agencies, and other organisations and groups. Advise and assist with contract disputes as needed.

• Working with key internal and external stakeholders on significant Health New Zealand projects.

• Reviewing and assisting with policy and procedures.

• Advise on OIA and privacy matters.

• Providing training to staff on commercial legal matters.

• Managing external legal service providers as required and appropriate to support the work of the team.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

• Remains focused on the pursuit of Māori health gain as well as achieving equitable health outcomes for Māori.

• Supports tangata whenua- and mana whenua-led change to deliver mana motuhake and Māori self-determination in the design, delivery and monitoring of health care.

• Actively supports kaimahi Māori by improving attraction, recruitment, retention, development, and leadership.

Equity • Commits to helping all people achieve equitable health outcomes.

• Demonstrates awareness of colonisation and power relationships.

• Demonstrates critical consciousness and on-going self-reflection and self-awareness in terms of the impact of their own culture on interactions and service delivery.

• Shows a willingness to personally take a stand for equity.

• Supports Māori-led and Pacific-led responses.

3

Innovation & Improvement

• Is open to new ideas and create a culture where individuals at all levels bring their ideas on how to ‘do it better’ to the table.

• Models an agile approach –tries new approaches, learns quickly, adapts fast.

• Develops and maintains appropriate external networks to support current knowledge of leading practices.

Collaboration and Relationship Management

• Models good team player behaviour, working with colleagues to not allow silo thinking and behaviour at decision making level to get in the way of doing our best and collegially supports others to do the same.

• Works with peers in Hauora Māori Service and Pacific Health Business Unit to ensure the voice of and direct aspirations of Māori and Pacific People are reflected in planning and delivery of services.

Health & safety • Exercises leadership and due diligence in Health and Safety matters and ensures the successful implementation of Health and Safety strategy and initiatives.

• Takes all reasonably practicable steps to eliminate and mitigate risks and hazards in the workplace that could cause harm, placing employee, contractor and others’ health, safety, and wellbeing centrally, alongside high-quality patient outcomes.

• Leads, champions, and promotes continual improvement in health and wellbeing to create a healthy and safe culture.

Compliance and Risk

• Takes responsibility to ensure appropriate risk reporting, management and mitigation activities are in place.

• Ensures compliance with all relevant statutory, safety and regulatory requirements applicable to the Business Unit.

• Understands, and operates within, the financial & operational delegations of their role, ensuring peers and team members are also similarly aware.

Matters which must be referred to the Principal Legal Counsel

• Instructing external legal counsel.

• All matters of potential risk (including media risk) to the organisation.

• Those matters requiring briefings to district, regional or national leadership.

Relationships

External Internal

• External legal Providers

• Ministry of Health

• Other government departments and crown entities

• Regulatory agencies

• Wider Health New Zealand legal team

• Professional advisors and leaders

• Management and business leaders

• Multidisciplinary and medical staff

• Other relevant staff, departments and services

About you – to succeed in this role

You will have Essential:

• Experience in implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action.

• A tertiary qualification in Law.

• Qualified and eligible to hold a practising certificate as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

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• At least eight years post qualification experience, ideally with some experience in an in-house legal environment.

• Commercial legal experience across a range of areas, including contract law, public sector procurement, and litigation experience.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Able to create robust working relationships with diverse clients and stakeholders.

• Able to provide solution-oriented, timely, clear and high quality legal advice and support to the organisation

• Able to contribute to a team and great sense of humour.

Desired:

• Experience with IT law, data/cyber security, health and safety, and privacy.

• Understanding and appreciation of public healthcare services, ideally in New Zealand.

You will be able to Essential:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including how to apply Te Tiriti principles in a meaningful way in your role.

• Take care of own physical and mental wellbeing, and have the stamina needed to go the distance.

• Maximise the quality and contributions of individuals and teams to achieve the organisation’s vision, purpose and goals.

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with people at all levels within the public and private sectors, related industry and community interest groups and the wider national and international communities.

• Demonstrate a strong drive to deliver and take personal responsibility.

• Demonstrate self-awareness of your impact on people and invests in your own leadership practice to continuously grow and improve.

• Demonstrate the highest standards of personal, professional and institutional behaviour through commitment, loyalty and integrity.

This position description is intended as an insight to the main tasks and responsibilities

required in the role and is not intended to be exhaustive. It may be subject to change, in

consultation with the job holder.