Principal Advisor - Budget

About Us

The Treasury – Te Tai Ōhanga serves as the Government's foremost economic and financial advisory body, dedicated to securing a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future for Aotearoa New Zealand. We confront some of the nation's most intricate challenges, such as child well-being, climate change, health, housing, and sustainable public finance, offering informed advice to Ministers and government leaders to shape a resilient and thriving society.

Division Overview

The Budget and Fiscal Strategy Division provides expert advice on macroeconomic management and fiscal decisions. It handles a robust, evolving Budget process designed to deliver impactful outcomes, performs rigorous analysis on capital investment planning, manages Crown assets and liabilities strategically, and oversees stewardship of infrastructure policy.

Role Summary

As a Principal Advisor within the Budget team, you will collaborate widely across the Treasury to lead the creation and delivery of high-caliber economic and financial advice that informs government policies impacting New Zealanders’ living standards. This pivotal leadership role involves overseeing the annual Budget process, including strategy, design, ministerial decision-making, and production phases.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the production of influential advice on complex and sensitive fiscal matters for Ministers and senior Treasury officials during the Budget cycle.
• Apply specialist expertise and contemporary policy insights to craft innovative, practical, evidence-based solutions primarily focused on public financial management.
• Manage critical Budget processes by prioritizing tasks to guarantee timely, effective delivery.
• Enhance team capability by coaching, mentoring, and supporting learning and development initiatives.
• Provide leadership for projects and strategic efforts that align with team objectives and broader organizational goals.
• Engage and influence stakeholders internally and externally to ensure advice is credible, well-informed, and impactful.
• Represent the Treasury authoritatively to communicate strategic directions and influence decisions at Ministerial levels.

Candidate Profile

• Genuine interest in Budget processes, public financial management, or economics.
• Extensive experience applying expertise to multifaceted policy or business challenges.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build relationships, influence, and collaborate effectively across diverse groups including Ministers.
• Familiarity or prior experience working within a government environment.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Awareness of and commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• An advanced tertiary qualification in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.

What We Offer

• Flexible working arrangements and five weeks of annual leave to support a healthy work-life balance.
• Comprehensive health and wellbeing programs.
• Opportunities to participate in social events, employee networks, and sports teams to foster connection and enjoyment at work.
• A workplace culture centered in the wharenui, symbolizing inclusivity and respect for diversity.
• Focused support for career development through training and advancement opportunities.
• A stimulating, challenging work environment designed to promote growth and skill acquisition.

Additional Information

This permanent full-time role is based in Wellington, New Zealand, with 40 working hours per week. The salary range offered is $171,542.75 to $201,815.00, subject to candidate skills, experience, and role fit. Applications close at 11:55 pm on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.