Director Auckland MFAT Office

Director Auckland MFAT Office

• Leads the Ministry’s strategic engagement in the Auckland region
• Manages the Auckland MFAT Office and NZ Inc relationships
• Provides senior leadership across trade, economic and international engagement

Lead the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s strategic economic and international engagement across the Auckland region.

About the role – Kōrero mō te tūranga

The Director Auckland MFAT Office (Unit Manager) leads the Ministry’s strategic engagement in the Auckland region, within the context of the Government’s priorities and MFAT’s strategic and operational objectives.

The role leads the Ministry’s Auckland Office, co‑located with NZTE, and comprising policy officers principally from the Trade and Economic Group and the Pacific Development Group, along with other senior staff and a support team. The position is responsible for the administration of the Auckland Office and the NZ Inc relationships in Auckland, and includes responsibility for supporting Ministerial and senior official activities in Auckland, with the Director of Pacific Connections.

Auckland is increasingly New Zealand’s economic and population centre, and the role is critical to ensuring central government has a sound understanding of the city and a strong presence for effective stakeholder outreach. The Office’s focus is on business and economic outreach in support of New Zealand’s successful internationalisation, while also contributing to the Ministry’s broader priorities through engagement with academia, ethnic communities and Māori Te Tiriti partners.

For more detail you can view the position description here.

The full salary range for this role is $171,274 - $231,724, inclusive of our KiwiSaver employer contribution. Appointment within this range will depend on skills and experience.

Who are we looking for? – Mā wai te mahi nei?

We’d like to hear from you if you are an experienced senior leader with the following skills and experience:

• Extensive people leadership experience, including recruiting, leading, coaching and developing high‑performing teams and actively managing performance
• Experience providing written and verbal advice at a senior level, with expertise in liaison with business and/or relevant international policy experience
• Experience building and maintaining relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders spanning business, government, civil society, and groups representing our populations
• Strong programme, financial and business planning capability, with experience leading complex work programmes and managing budgets
• Sound understanding of the Machinery of Government and Government decision‑making processes
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues across the Ministry and wider system, influencing outcomes and aligning work across organisational boundaries
• Demonstrated leadership of health and safety, including ensuring hazards and risks are appropriately identified, assessed, controlled, monitored and reviewed
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, tikanga Māori and Te Reo Māori would be beneficial

Why MFAT? - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū 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.

MFAT is Rainbow Tick accredited. We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and a sense of belonging.  We welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. 

About us - Mō mātou

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 pēhea te tuku tono

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

To be considered for this position at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ citizen, or Permanent Resident. 

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance. Ordinarily, to obtain this level of clearance candidates must have sufficient checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, the candidate application may not be able to be progressed.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Top Secret clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 3rd May, 2026.