Experienced Legislative Drafters

Would you like to work at the heart of government, designing and developing New Zealand’s laws?

Te Tari Tohutohu Pāremata | Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO) plays a critical and distinctive role in developing and designing legislation. We work closely with our colleagues across Government to deliver legislation that is fit-for-purpose, constitutionally sound, and accessible.

We are looking to grow our team of legislative drafters. As part of this team, you will work alongside other counsel and gain a fascinating insight into the politics, policy development, and legal design behind New Zealand’s legislation.

A legislative drafting role in New Zealand offers the opportunity to:

Work on “greenfield” projects which require unique and innovative legal solutions
Enhance and adjust existing legislation in response to developing situations
Analyse complex legal issues
Collaborate with and influence some of Government’s top lawyers and policy analysts
Work on legislation as it proceeds through Parliamentary and select committee processes and more!

See what drafters say about working at PCO here: Life at the PCO.

For more information about PCO, see our website.

What we are looking for

We are looking for drafters with experience working as a legislative drafter in a legislative drafting office either in New Zealand or overseas.

We are open to considering candidates with different levels of experience and will appoint either at Independent or Advanced level.

You will hold appropriate legal qualifications. You will need:

Excellent legal, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to break down complex ideas and reason logically
To be able to work under pressure both within a team and independently
A high level of initiative and judgement, flexibility, and a sense of responsibility
To be a clear communicator and an advocate for plain language
To support PCO’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the revitalisation of te reo Māori me ngā tikanga.

E pūmau ana a PCO ki te tautoko i te Karauna kia whaitake ai hei patui Tiriti, ā, kei te hanga i tana rautaki ao Māori i tēnei wā. Ko tētahi wāhanga o tēnei rautaki he whakatipu i tō mātau kaha e pā ana ki te reo Māori me te tuhi ture hukihuki i te reo Māori. Kei reira ngā whai wāhitanga ki te whakaawe me te ārahi i te urupare a PCO ki tēnei wāhanga nekeneke mō te hunga matatau ki te reo Māori me te mōhio ki ngā tikanga Māori.

PCO is committed to supporting the Crown to be an effective Treaty partner and is currently developing its te ao Māori strategy. One component of this strategy is to grow our capacity in te reo Māori and to draft legislation in te reo Māori. There are opportunities to influence and guide PCO’s response to this rapidly developing area for those fluent in te reo Māori and with knowledge of tikanga Māori.

What we offer you

This is an excellent opportunity to join a professional and highly respected organisation. PCO is a small and friendly office of around 100 people with a passion for producing great legislation.

We value our people and provide a flexible and supportive environment where each individual can thrive and be who they are. We embrace diversity, and welcome the fresh energy and perspectives that new team members bring to our work. All legislative drafters receive training and coaching from experienced drafters when they join.

Our benefits include five weeks’ annual leave, a vision subsidy, an exercise subsidy, in-house te reo Māori classes, flexible working policy to support work-life balance, and more. We have an active social committee, a netball team, and free access to the gymnasium and swimming pool in the parliamentary complex.

How to apply

See www.pco.govt.nz/current-vacancies for the position description and how to apply (including the application form). Applications must include a completed PCO application form, a CV, and a cover letter, sent to recruitment@pco.govt.nz.

PCO is accredited with Immigration New Zealand and can support successful applicants from overseas with their applications for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). For information about New Zealand work or residence visas, please visit www.immigration.govt.nz.

Applications close on Friday 15 September 2023.