Chief Legal Counsel, Fair Trading

Ko matou tenei \| Who we are

The Commerce Commission \| Te Komihana Tauhokohoko is New Zealand's competition, fair trading and economic regulatory agency. Our vision is that New Zealanders are better off because markets work well and consumers and businesses are confident market participants.

We operate at the centre of New Zealand's regulatory system, with increasing impact across competition, consumer protection and economic regulation. As an independent Crown entity, our role is critical to ensuring markets deliver for New Zealanders.

This is a permanent position, based in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) or Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington).

Mo te turanga \| About the role

This is a significant legal leadership role at the forefront of consumer protection and fair trading regulation in New Zealand.

As Chief Legal Counsel, Fair Trading, you will lead a highly capable legal team and partner closely with Fair Trading leaders to deliver strategic legal advice, support complex investigations and litigation, and contribute to regulatory outcomes that directly impact New Zealand consumers and businesses. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will be a member of the Legal Services Branch Leadership Team and will work closely with the Competition and Fair Trading (CFT) Branch leadership team.

You will provide expert legal leadership across a broad portfolio of Fair Trading Act matters, helping shape enforcement strategies, legal risk management, and regulatory decision-making. You will also play a key role in developing legal capability across the Commission and contributing to organisational leadership more broadly.

Key elements of the role include:

• Leading and developing a high-performing team of legal professionals
• Providing strategic legal advice on complex consumer protection and fair trading matters
• Supporting and overseeing significant investigations, enforcement action and litigation
• Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and decision-makers
• Partnering closely with the CFT Branch to deliver its strategic priorities
• Managing relationships with external legal providers and key stakeholders
• Contributing to the leadership, culture and performance of the Legal Services branch
• Supporting the General Counsel in delivering high-quality legal services across the Commission.

This role offers the opportunity to influence outcomes that matter to New Zealanders, while working on complex and often high-profile legal issues in an intellectually stimulating environment.

He korero mou \| About you

You will be a highly respected legal leader with strong technical expertise, exceptional judgement and a collaborative leadership style.

We are looking for:

• A senior lawyer with significant experience in fair trading and consumer law, regulatory law, public law, litigation or a closely related field
• A current New Zealand practising certificate
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing professional teams
• Strong experience providing strategic legal advice on complex and sensitive matters
• Experience managing litigation and working with external counsel
• The ability to influence and build trusted relationships across a wide range of stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex legal issues clearly and persuasively
• Sound business and strategic leadership capability, with the ability to contribute beyond your immediate function.

Te wahi mahi \| Working here

You will be part of an organisation that plays a critical role in New Zealand's economy and society. This is a unique opportunity to:

• Help protect consumers and promote confidence in New Zealand markets
• Lead important legal work that delivers meaningful public impact
• Work alongside leading experts in law, economics and regulation
• Contribute to enterprise-wide leadership and decision-making
• Develop and mentor talented legal professionals
• Be part of a purpose-driven organisation with a strong public mandate.

Our environment is collaborative, inclusive and intellectually stimulating, and our work has real impact.

Ka pehea te tono mai \| How to apply

If you want to contribute to our vision to make New Zealanders better off, please click 'Apply for this job' below. You will need to complete an online application form and upload your CV and Cover Letter outlining your motivation for applying for this role and the skills and experience you bring.

Applications close on Monday, 31 August 2026. For any queries contact Liz Martin on 04 924 3625.

Our recruitment process is fair, inclusive and free from bias and we encourage our applicants to let us know if we can make it more user friendly for them. We are an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse perspectives and the contribution every one of our people makes to our culture. Put simply - you can be yourself here.