Principal Adviser Imported Foods

Job title: Principal Adviser Imported Food

Role type: Permanent

Location: Wellington CBD

Salary band \& range: General Salary Range C - $121,764 to $142,494 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga

The Food Risk Management directorate of New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is responsible for setting standards for food production, processing, importing and exporting; identifying emerging food safety risks; and delivering an agile and evolving food compliance and response system.

In this role, you will help shape the systems, services and standards that support New Zealand's food safety framework. You'll work with industry, regulators and technical experts to develop practical solutions that enable compliance, support innovation, and protect the integrity of New Zealand's food exports.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Drive strategic outcomes across food safety and regulation.
• Provide trusted advice to senior leaders and decision makers.
• Represent New Zealand in national and international forums.
• Coach and mentor advisers across the team.
• Build partnerships across government and industry.
• Identify emerging risks and drive practical solutions.

About You - Mou

We are looking for a Principal Adviser who will be a trusted adviser and who enjoys working at the intersection of science, regulation, and public policy. You will bring a strategic mindset, sound judgement, and the ability to build strong relationships across a wide range of stakeholders while navigating complex and evolving issues.

We encourage you to apply if you can demonstrate the following:

• An Independent, self-starter, accountable for planning and delivering your own mahi.
• Practical knowledge of regulatory system design and operation.
• Expertise in food safety, regulation, or risk management.
• Strong analysis, communication, and influencing skills.
• Experience working with senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Ability to lead projects and coach others to succeed.
• Awareness of business and political drivers and ability to identify long term issues and trends.
• Ability to consider multiple factors and weigh the risks and benefits to make sound risk management decisions.
• Sound written and verbal communication skills.
• Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.

About the Team - Mo to matou Ropu

The Imported Food Standards team is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the regulatory system for imported foods. This includes:

• Developing and publishing secondary legislation under the Food Act as well as guidance material.
• Proactively identifying emerging imported food risks and commissioning risk assessment advice as necessary.
• Providing technical support to teams within Biosecurity New Zealand who carry out food safety border clearance of imported foods.
• Carrying out bilateral negotiations on official certificates and arrangements with exporting countries, alongside Policy \& Trade teams.

The team works closely with other teams across the directorate, New Zealand Food Safety, and other business units within MPI to take a collaborative, science-based approach to food safety and risk management.

This is a great opportunity to be part of meaningful work that supports food safety and the integrity of New Zealand's Primary Industries.

About MPI - Mo te Manatu Ahu Matua

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatu Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click "APPLY FOR THIS JOB" or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it - click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at midnight on Monday 7 September 2026.

If you have any questions about the role, please email [email protected]

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