Democracy Advisor

Hamilton | Governance and Democracy | Full Time

77,000 - 87,000 NZD per year

Posted 7 days ago | Apply before October 4, 2026

Mō te tūranga | About the role

Provide trusted governance and legislative advice to elected members and staff.

Support Council and committee decision-making through high-quality governance processes.

Prepare and review agendas, minutes, governance reports and policy documents.

Coordinate and support statutory and resource management hearings.

Contribute to electoral processes, governance training and continuous improvement initiatives.

Work closely with councillors, iwi partners, senior leaders and community stakeholders.

Thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.

Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to develop trust across a diverse range of stakeholders.

Excellent verbal and written skills.

Highly organised, adaptable and able to manage competing priorities effectively.

You exercise sound judgement and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive matters.

You have an interest in governance, democratic processes and public sector decision-making.

A bachelor-level qualification or equivalent experience.

Three to five years' relevant professional experience.

Experience providing advice, interpreting legislation or managing complex processes.

Strong written communication and relationship management skills.

Experience in local government, governance, democracy services or public sector advisory roles would be advantageous.

Mō te tīma | About the team

Join a small, high-performing team that supports the governance and democratic processes of Waikato Regional Council.

Work alongside experienced governance professionals committed to transparency, good decision-making and continuous improvement.

We work hard to care for the mighty Waikato, so current and future generations will benefit from a healthy environment, strong economy, and vibrant communities.

Our mahi is as diverse as the region we care for and the people who share it. Our work helps look after our region's water, soil, air, geothermal areas and coasts - so we can all enjoy these precious resources for generations to come.

Customers sit at the heart of everything we do, and all staff have an important role to play in the delivery of exceptional customer service.

By partnering with iwi and working with many others in our communities, our collective kaitiakitanga will make the Waikato region even better.

Together, we’ll create a sustainable future that will make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and this role will close on Sunday 4 October 2026.