Principal Advisor Audit & Governance Wellington City

About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga

The Principal Adviser Audit and Governance plays a key role in ensuring MPI's business processes, risk management, and governance support its vision, including doubling exports. Providing assurance, advice, and strategic foresight, the role leads audits, ad-hoc reviews, and governance support while engaging with the Risk and Assurance Committee.

This position involves working with independent advisory committees to MPI leadership, reviewing business operations such as laboratory functions, biosecurity responses to threats like bird flu and Foot-and-Mouth disease, and fisheries management—including quota systems and on-land fish farming licensing.

A strong focus is placed on coaching and mentoring the team, and leading internal audits that align with MPI's business needs. Approximately 30% of the role's time involves direct engagement with the Risk and Assurance Committee, with the role acting as secretariat. 

About You - Mou

You may be in a similar Principal Adviser role currently and looking to broaden your experience in a new sector, currently in an external auditing role and looking to gain exposure in an internal auditing environment, or in a senior internal auditing role and ready to step up to the next level.

You'll have will have extensive internal audit experience, demonstrating a proactive and strategic approach to auditing and governance. You will need to be confident mentoring and coaching team members while supporting the Risk and Assurance Committee (RAC).

Attributes will include

• Proven leadership – Comfortable acting as second-in-command (2IC) to the manager, guiding audit initiatives and ensuring effective execution.
• Audit expertise – Skilled in overseeing multiple audits conducted by others and undertaking more challenging or complex reviews as required.
• RAC secretariat duties – Ideally experienced in providing administrative and strategic support to the committee.

You do not need to meet all the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.  

About the Team - Mo to matou Ropu

This position sits within the Audit and Governance team alongside other talented Advisory positions. You'll be part of the Audit, Risk & Evaluation Directorate, Corporate Services.

About MPI - Mo te Manatu Ahu Matua

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

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

• Annual Wellness payment
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation
• Professional membership reimbursement

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

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 Manatū 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 11.59pm 25 June 2025

If you have any questions about the role, please email aymon.mcquade@mpi.govt.nz 

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