About OPC
Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā
Kia hiwa rā ki tēnei tuku
Kia hiwa rā ki tērā tuku
Kia tū, kia oho,
kia mataara!
Privacy is precious – help protect it
Legal Adviser or Senior Legal Adviser
Develop your career in 2025 - join a small, tight-knit team engaged with privacy, law and policy work across the organisation.
As a result of a promotion for one of our team we are now looking for a Legal Adviser or Senior. It’s at an exciting time to be at OPC.
Ko tā mātou mahi - our work
The Privacy Act applies to almost every person, business, and organisation in New Zealand. We advocate and advise on matters relating to privacy, examine new legislation and initiatives for impacts on privacy, undertake independent inquiries into privacy issues, investigate and conciliate complaints about alleged breaches of privacy, and have a compliance and enforcement function. Across all these areas we seek out and rely on advice from our Legal Team.
Ko te tūranga - the role
You may not be a privacy expert yet but you do need to have a strong interest in privacy.
Some of the areas you will be involved with include:
- providing expert legal and privacy advice to policy and operational teams,
- occasionally assisting with litigation in the Human Rights Tribunal or courts,
- drafting legal opinions arising out of investigations and inquiries,
- building privacy expertise within the office,
- providing sound legal advice about the legal and privacy implications of draft legislation and government policy.
Te painga o te mahi tahi me mātou - what this role offers
- Supportive and friendly team working in the heart of OPC.
- Professional development opportunities and CPD support.
- Three days paid Commissioner leave between Christmas and New Year.
- Work-life balance with flexible working options.
- At work support for learning te reo Māori and tikanga practices.
Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu - what you will bring
We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where people feel valued and respected. Diversity makes us stronger and we seek to attract and foster diversity of background, thought and experience.
We’re looking for someone who brings a mix of the following:
- Legal qualification and a current practising certificate.
- Legal Adviser: 2+ years, Senior Legal Adviser 5+ years post-admission experience.
- Excellent legal and analysis skills.
- A keen interest in the interactions between privacy, law and policy.
- An understanding of Treaty of Waitangi, human rights and cultural diversity.
- Litigation and/or public law experience is desirable but not essential.
- The ability to build and maintain co-operative and collegial working relationships.
- An inquiring mind coupled with common sense and good judgement.
Me pēhea te tono - how to apply
If this role sounds like you, apply on Seek.
Email us for any further enquiries.
Please note, we can only consider applicants who are legally entitled to work in New Zealand at the time of application.
In addition to your CV, your application must be accompanied by a covering letter which sets out your suitability for this role. We want to hear your voice, unmediated by AI.
We may start interviewing before the job ad expires on 9 July 2025, apply now if you don't want to miss this opportunity.
Compliance Officer
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is Aotearoa New Zealand’s privacy regulator, protecting the taonga that is personal information. Our mahi addresses systemic and population-scale privacy issues, increases good privacy practice, and champions the privacy rights of all New Zealanders. We work in partnership with Māori to take a te ao Māori perspective on privacy, engaging and empowering people and communities who are more vulnerable to serious privacy harm.
Ko tā mātou mahi – The role
We are now looking for an experienced regulator to join our busy Compliance and Enforcement team.
Our team is on the frontline spearheading OPC’s regulatory response both at an agency and at system-wide level. The work is complex and challenging, with no two cases the same.
You will be assessing and investigating privacy breach notifications, providing advice and support to agencies on how to manage and respond to privacy breaches, producing guidance material and responding to enquiries from organisations and the public about their privacy obligations.
Indicative salary band is $68,000 - $100,000, actual pay based on relevant experience.
Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu – What you bring
- At least 2 years’ experience working in a regulatory context.
- A level of enjoyment in navigating complexity and ambiguity in a regulatory environment.
- Really solid written and verbal communication skills. You’ll be providing advice to agencies on the good management of their privacy risks and obligations, so you’ll need to be a clear communicator and able to help influence behavioural change and compliance.
- Privacy experience is not a pre-requisite but an interest in privacy is.
Te painga o te mahi tahi me mātou - what this role offers
- Professional growth and challenge
- Friendly and inclusive culture
- Three days paid Commissioner leave between Christmas and New Year
- Work-life balance with flexible working options
- At work support for learning te reo Māori and tikanga practices
We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where people feel valued and respected. Diversity makes us stronger and we seek to attract and foster diversity of background, thought and experience.
Me pēhea te tono - how to apply:
If this role sounds like you, apply on Seek.
Email us for any further enquiries.
Please note, we can only consider applicants who are legally entitled to work in New Zealand at the time of application.
In addition to your CV, your application must be accompanied by a covering letter which sets out your suitability for this role. We want to hear your voice, unmediated by AI.
If you are interested apply now as we may contact and interview applicants prior to the closing date. Applications close 9 a.m. 14 July unless filled prior.
