Thriving together - mō te taiao, mō ngā tāngata. 

Our environment and our people go hand-in-hand. 

This is a unique opportunity for a motivated and experienced Legal Counsel to join the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Legal and Commercial Team. 

This is a senior role with organisation-wide responsibilities and a mandate for assisting capability and understanding of legal issues across the Council. 

Te āhuatunga a te tūranga - About the role 

This is a rare opportunity to do meaningful, high-impact legal work in one of New Zealand’s most diverse and dynamic public sector environments. At Bay of Plenty Regional Council, no two days are the same - you will apply and grow your specialist expertise across a broad mix of legal issues shaped by the region’s environmental, regulatory, commercial, and community responsibilities. 

Reporting to the Legal and Commercial Manager, you will be responsible for providing robust and practical legal advice across the organisation and help shape how Council responds to complex, high-profile issues. You will join a highly regarded team of specialist regulatory, commercial, and local government lawyers, working at the heart of decisions that matter to Bay of Plenty communities. 

It is a collaborative, supportive environment where your ideas, judgment, and growth will be valued - and where you will have real opportunity to build your career while making a difference. There is scope to shape the role around the strengths and experience you bring, while still requiring the adaptability and willingness to turn your hand to different issues as organisational priorities evolve. 

Ō pūmanawa - Your skills and experience 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or higher 
• Admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand 
• A current practising certificate 

Experience: 

• Seven plus years post qualification experience 
• Experience with litigation, court, or other formal hearing processes would be desirable. This could include experience gained across a range of practice areas, including environmental planning, civil litigation, or regulatory matters 
• Excellent technical skills and communication required 
• Experience with local government and/or the public sector would be advantageous 

Ko wai mātou - Who we are 

Bay of Plenty Regional Council works at the heart of some of the region’s most important and evolving challenges - looking after our land, air and water, supporting public transport, enabling economic development, and helping shape strong, resilient communities. 

Local government is a dynamic environment to be part of: complex, meaningful, and constantly changing. Alongside the opportunity to contribute to work that matters today, you will also have the chance to be involved in future-focused projects that will help shape the region for years to come. 

Who you are is important to us. We welcome diversity as an opportunity to grow our teams and are keen to support people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions, and disabilities/abilities. We want the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to be a place where you can bring your whole self to work. 

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has a reputation for being one of the country's most progressive regional councils. 

People like working for us because we offer the following: 

• Flexible working arrangements and a full-time or part-time position 
• Excellent wellbeing initiatives (such as employer-paid insurance) 
• Challenge and job satisfaction 
• A supportive, collaborative, and fun work environment 

The position can be located in Regional Council’s Tauranga, Whakatāne or Rotorua offices depending on the successful candidate. 

The recruitment salary range for this position will be approximately $135,952.40 to $159,944.00 and will be determined depending on the skills and experience of the successful applicant. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono - How to apply 

Click 'apply' or contact Monique Brooks, Legal and Commercial Manager on 027 555 6780 for a confidential discussion. 

To access a copy of Te Tūranga Mahi (Job Description) please click on the following link or copy and paste it into your web browser: 

NB: To apply for this job, you must have the legal right to be able to work in New Zealand and also a current, valid driver’s licence. https://tinyurl.com/4h43fvu4 

Applications close 5.00pm, Tuesday, 02 June 2026 and will only be accepted online.