Job Description

• 1 x Permanent role 
• 1 x Fixed Term role for 10 months starting January 2025 

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Are you a seasoned legal professional with a litigation background? Embrace a fulfilling career with Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) as we seek an experienced lawyer to support the work of our Compliance Team.

The Compliance Team's primary role is to maintain the integrity of New Zealand's Overseas Investment regime by:

• identifying and assessing possible risks of investments;
• making sure consent holders meet the conditions of their consent and deliver the promised benefits of their investments;
• investigating possible breaches of the Act; and
• taking enforcement action where overseas persons have deliberately tried to circumvent the Act, provided false information, or failed to meet their consent conditions.

While the team's current work is predominantly under the Overseas Investment Act 2005, we are actively building capability to support other regulatory regimes administered by LINZ.

You will help manage LINZ's compliance litigation programme, involving both civil and criminal proceedings. You will instruct the Crown Law Office, Crown Solicitors and external barristers, and work closely with them to progress cases. There may be occasional opportunities to appear for LINZ, alongside a Crown Counsel or Crown Solicitor, but this is not the focus of the role.

You will also provide legal advice, and work side-by-side with our investigators as they investigate possible breaches of our legislation. This includes overseeing the use of our information gathering powers and supporting our investigators as they undertake evidential interviews. You will assess the strength of our case and make recommendations on the most appropriate and proportionate enforcement action. In addition, you will help with the preparation of advice for decision makers, briefings for Ministers' offices, as well as media and Official Information Act responses.

As this is a senior position, you will be expected to have the experience, resilience, and judgement necessary to weigh up different courses of action and assess risks. You will also be expected to guide and mentor junior colleagues. We are also looking for someone who will complement the professional, collegial, nature of our multi-disciplinary team of lawyers, investigators, and intelligence analysts.

This is an exciting time to join us, as the Compliance Team has a number of cases ready to bring to Court. To get an overview of the Compliance Team's work, visit the ‘Enforcement' page of our website which sets out our enforcement approach, our strategic priorities, and enforcement action taken.

While this role is part of (and reports to) the LINZ Legal Team, you will be homed within the Compliance Team and focus on its work.

He pūkenga tou - Skills & Experience

• To succeed in this role, you will be a mid-senior level lawyer with 6+ years experience
• Have solid litigation experience and hold a current practising certificate (or the ability to hold one).
• While experience in regulatory enforcement, commercial law, property law, and trusts would be advantageous, it's not critical as this expertise already exists in the Compliance Team and other teams that administer the Overseas Investment Act.
• You will have excellent communication skills to confidently interact with investors and their legal counsel on compliance issues and potential breaches.
• The maturity, pragmatism, and commercial acumen needed to reach sensible resolution of matters.
• A good understanding of the Privacy Act 2020, and the ability to apply that when considering the use of our information gathering powers.

Ngā mea e tukuna ana e tātau – What we offer our employees 

• Interesting work which impacts Aotearoa as we care for whenua, moana and arawai.
• Eye & ear care reimbursements
• Annual Flu Vaccinations
• Reduced Health Insurance Premiums
• Diverse groups and networks
• If eligible for paid parental leave, you will be entitled to a top up payment for the first 18 weeks of the 26 weeks.
• A minimum of four weeks and three days annual leave

Te Tākinatanga - Our Story

Toitū Te Whenua plays a vital role in understanding, developing, and caring for New Zealand's whenua, moana and arawai (land, sea and waterways). Whether you're developing our products and services to support our customers, managing the Crown estate, engaging with our iwi partners, or helping us be an effective regulator, your contribution can make a difference. Our mahi helps New Zealanders have confidence that the development of our land, communities and country is being planned from an informed and expert position that balances environmental, social, cultural, and economic considerations. Now and for future generations.

Our Kia Toipoto Intentions - Public Service Gender, Māori, Pacific and Ethnic Pay Gap Action Plan

Toitū Te Whenua is a diverse team of individuals with different experience and perspectives. This drives our culture and high performance.  We know that people from underrepresented groups and women in particular don't apply for roles if they're not a 100% match, but we're not looking for perfection, we're looking for potential.  As an inclusive and supportive employer, we value difference and want to encourage anyone interested to apply, regardless of whether you tick all the boxes or not. As an organisation we embrace diversity, encourage work life balance and have a flexible approach to the way we work which means you will quickly feel connected and valued.

Tono mai - How to Apply

If you're eyeing up this role and believe you've got what it takes, please apply, or get in touch with the team. 

To apply, please click “Apply Online.” You'll be taken through to our Toitū Te Whenua Careers Centre where you'll be able to review further information about the responsibilities and accountabilities of this role in the Position Description. You'll be able to complete your online application form and upload a copy of your CV/Cover Letter. 

Please note, while applications close Sunday 1 December 2024, we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position.

For tracking and evaluation purposes, all applications must be submitted via our on-line process. You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be eligible for this position. 

You may notice that the Position Description title for this role (Solicitor - Level Rua/2) doesn't match the advertised title.  At Toitū Te Whenua we design our roles around shared capabilities (rather than focusing on tasks). This means our position descriptions are broad, one position description can cover many roles, this is known as Broad Based Role (BBR). Using BBR allows us to be responsive to our customers and to strengthen the connections across our organisation. It also gives us the flexibility to provide wider opportunities to our people, to further their careers.

If you have any questions about this role or working at Toitū Te Whenua, please email opportunities@linz.govt.nz  and our Recruitment Team will be in touch with you.