Senior Adviser, Engagement and Public Affairs

Te Tūranga –The opportunity 

An opportunity to work with New Zealand’s award-winning public broadcaster. RNZ aims to strengthen Aotearoa and the Pacific through informative, challenging and entertaining content.

In this role we are looking for someone at a senior advisor level who is able to both manage key stakeholder relationships and own our corporate document process. 

Te Mahi – About the job

RNZ is New Zealand’s only non-commercial public multimedia organisation and exists solely to serve the public interest by providing unique, impartial services and content to all New Zealanders.

Part of RNZ’s strategy involves continuing to expand our digital content and distribution to connect with a growing and increasingly diverse audience.

RNZ is looking for a seasoned engagement and public affairs professional who will be passionate about the role public media plays in informing, entertaining and challenging New Zealanders. This is a role for someone who thrives at the intersections of strategy, storytelling, and partnership, whilst supporting RNZ’s vision of “outstanding public media that matters”.

As the Senior Adviser, Engagement and Public Affairs, you will:

• Drive RNZ’s public affairs and stakeholder engagement programme, ensuring our work is visible, understood, and valued.

• Build trusted relationships across government, sector partners, iwi/Māori, community, and industry.

• Represent RNZ confidently and credibly in meetings, forums, and sector conversations.

• Own and shape key corporate documents and narratives (e.g. annual report, statement of performance expectation, quarterly reports).

• Partner with the Senior Communications Adviser to ensure timely and consistent messaging across all channels.

• Use insights to refine RNZ’s engagement approach and strengthen our influence over time.

Ōu Pūkenga - About You

If you’re a relationship‑builder, a strategic thinker, and someone who loves turning complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives, we’d love to hear from you.

Ideally you will be able to demonstrate and / or hold:

• Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.

• Significant experience and track record in creating and implementing a stakeholder communicationstrategy.

• Excellent writing skills and experience in producing work in a variety of styles.

• Experience in drafting and collating public facing reporting documents including working with designers and managing approval processes.

• Experience in public affairs and stakeholder engagement programmes.

• Computer, desktop publishingand SharePoint skills.

• Demonstrates strong emotional intelligence, with the ability to navigate interpersonal relationships thoughtfully and effectively.

• Media or journalism experience (beneficial but not essential).

• IAP2 or Certificate of Engagement qualification desirable but not essential.

• Knowledge of Te Ao Māori welcomed.

Ngā Hua: What we offer

At RNZ, you’ll be joining a passionate team who love what they do and are committed to making a difference. We offer:

• A chance to shape the national conversation and serve the public good.

• A friendly, welcoming and inclusive culture.

• Regular development and training opportunities for our people.

• Salary reflecting the living wage and matched KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%.

• Comprehensive parental leave over and above standard legislation.
  

• Flexible work options and additional leave provisions for some roles.
  

• Wellbeing support, including access to a confidential guidance and counselling services.
  

Te Ahurea – Our Culture

At RNZ we are committed to fostering an inclusive and constructive culture. This means creating a place where our people feel like they belong and can do their best work. We do this through our attitudes; Be Bold, Better Every Day and Extend Manaakitanga. 

This is a full-time role based in Wellington.

Applications close: Wednesday, 10 June 2026 unless filled prior. 

To apply for this role please complete your application on our careers site, including your covering letter and a CV. If applying through Seek you will be able to view and download a copy of the job description for this role after clicking Apply. 

If you'd like to speak to someone about this role, please get in touch with the recruitment team on jobs@rnz.co.nz

RNZ is committed to the principles and practices of Equal Employment Opportunity and welcomes applicants reflecting New Zealand’s cultural and ethnic diversity.

Position description Apply now

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