Legislative Counsel

Legislative Counsel L2 or L3

• Support the team’s busy work programme with legislative drafting and planning.
• Assist with the development (including peer review and editing) of all tax bills to enactment.  
• Wellington based, permanent opportunity

 Ara Whiwhi Mahi | The Opportunity

Inland Revenue’s Policy team is looking for a lawyer to join the tax law drafting team, to assist in the delivery of the New Zealand Government’s tax policy work programme. 

As part of our team, you will be involved in the drafting of revenue legislation administered by Inland Revenue.  The work involves drafting provisions to give effect to the Government’s tax policy decisions for inclusion in tax bills, tax provisions for inclusion in other Government bills, and assisting with the progressing of bills to enactment.

Key Accountabilities:

• Provide legal analysis and advice on the drafting of complex and in-depth tax, social policy and drafting issues to inform quality decision making.
• Work collaboratively to draft robust legislation that is clearly expressed and legally effective, working within established drafting and policy development frameworks to deliver the right outcomes for customers, IR and the government.
• Support development (including peer review and editing) of legislation through parliamentary processes. 
• Provide assurance that proposed legislation delivers the government’s intended outcomes 
• Contribute to ensure end-to-end policy development and integration so that policy design, legislation and implementation achieve intended outcomes.
• Apply a stewardship view of the Revenue Acts to identify connections and inform appropriate legislation development.  
• Mōu | About you  
• To be successful in this role you will bring:
• A law degree, a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, and experience as a lawyer
• High degree of familiarity with tax legislation
• Ability to apply a system-wide view of relevant issues to understand potential connections and implications to inform appropriate legislative approaches
• A level 3 applicant would be able to coach and mentor others to assist capability uplift and support better legislative and policy outcomes 

Mō mātou | About us 

The Policy team is primarily based in Wellington and advises Government on a range of tax and social policy issues. We research and develop policy options, and present policy recommendations to senior officials and Ministers. Unlike other policy shops, we also prepare our own legislation arising from those policy recommendations and our advisors support it through the legislative process.  

We have an incredibly busy work programme and to support this we need additional legislative drafting and planning capability.

Policy supports people to work flexibly and to have balance in their working lives. We embrace and encourage diversity and have introduced inclusive practices to ensure that all of our people are confident to be themselves at work. Inland Revenue is committed to strengthening Māori Crown relationships under Te Tiriti o Waitangi/ the Treaty of Waitangi.

IR is committed to building an inclusive workplace free from inequalities, where all our people are valued, respected and feel supported to reach their full potential.  
 

Tono mai | Apply here

Does this sound like you? Have we piqued your interest? Please apply online! Attach a copy of your CV and a Cover Letter outlining your skills, experience, and knowledge in line with the role. Secondment opportunities may be considered.

If you would like more information, including a copy of the role description, please email irdcareers@careers.ird.govt.nz 

Applications close 12pm, Monday 29th September 2025