Senior Solicitor - Fixed Term/Secondment, Rules Update Programme

Play a pivotal role shaping the future of New Zealand’s aviation system

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is looking for a Senior Solicitor to support the Rules Update Programme, a 2-year modernisation of New Zealand’s civil aviation rules.

In this role, you will be seconded to the Ministry of Transport (MoT), working within the Ministry’s Legal team to ensure the Crown’s aviation interests are reflected in high-quality, future-ready legislation. This is a 2-year secondment role.

This is a rare opportunity to work at the heart of Government to help design regulatory frameworks that are legally robust, principles-based, safe, and effective.

About the role

As Senior Solicitor, you will:

• Provide high-quality legal advice on complex and ambiguous issues across aviation law.
• Support the development of new policy and regulatory proposals, ensuring consistency with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, constitutional principles, international obligations, and the Legislation Design and Advisory Committees Legislation Guidelines.
• Contribute to the development of new and amended civil aviation rules, including reviewing draft rules, providing regulatory design input, and cross-agency engagement.
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment and proactively identify risks, opportunities, and connections across the wider transport system.

You will work closely with CAA and MoT colleagues, external legal providers, the Parliamentary Counsel Office and other government departments.

What you will bring

You will be a confident, collaborative public-sector lawyer with:

• A law degree and the ability to hold a practising certificate
• Strong public law expertise and experience advising on regulatory or legislative matters.
• Experience in legislative development, preferably in drafting  rules and legislative design.
• Excellent judgement, analytical capability, and the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical advice.
• Strong communication skills—written and verbal—and experience influencing across disciplines.
• The ability to work autonomously, prioritise effectively, and deliver high-quality work under pressure.
• A collegial mindset, strong relationship skills, and an interest in mentoring others.
• An understanding of the machinery of government including cabinet decision making processes

Previous experience working in an in-house legal or public service department, Crown Entity or related agency is desirable.

The salary range for this role is $115 536 to $141 751. The starting salary will be dependent on your skills and experience and will take into account internal relativities within the team.

What we offer

• Friendly and supportive work environment
• A unique cross-agency role at the intersection of policy, regulation, and operational rulemaking

• The opportunity to directly shape New Zealand’s aviation regulatory system
• A collaborative environment focused on high performance and public value
• A workplace committed to diversity, inclusion, and the wellbeing of our people

Apply Now

If you’re passionate about legislative design and want to apply your expertise to an impactful, nationally significant regulatory project, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submitting your CV and Cover Letter. Please note that your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so highlight how your experience aligns with the key skills required for this role.

We are committed to ensuring accessibility throughout the recruitment process. If there is any support, we can provide to ensure the process is equitable and accessible for you, please let us know.

For more information on the role, please view the position description. For any questions, please contact Patrice Wilkin on recruitment@caa.govt.nz. *Please note we can not accept email applications.

Applications close: Tuesday 06/01/2026.

*Please note: we will assess applications as they are received, and the closing date may be earlier.