Work for us
We are a small agency that has about 200 staff who come from a variety of backgrounds.
The Navy is integral to the protection, support and security of New Zealand and the Pacific; I see the Ministry of Defence as ‘the team behind the team’.
Project Manager Tangi (Ngāti Porou)
I am the Project Manager who supports the upgrade of some of the equipment on our Navy ships and have been at the Ministry for 18 months.
The work I do contributes to giving our Royal NZ Navy crews the best tools, systems and ship platform to operate while out at sea. This involves primarily working with the Royal NZ Navy, contractors and industry and also experiencing what our ships can do, through on board visits and sea ride opportunities. Through these opportunities I get the chance to talk to the crew and understand from the user perspective, how the improvements we want to deliver can make a positive change to the way they work.
For over a decade, I worked for a sporting organisation that has a strong sense of national identity. Moving to the Ministry of Defence has been relatively seamless, where the sense of importance to our nation’s profile is very similar. The Navy is integral to the protection, support and security of New Zealand and the Pacific; I see the Ministry of Defence as ‘the team behind the team’.
The Ministry has also supported me to fulfil the role of Manager for the New Zealand Under 18 Girls Rugby Sevens team at the World Schools Sevens tournament, an experience I am very grateful for.
I love having the opportunity to work with so many talented and dedicated people.
Senior Human Resources Advisor Sarah
I have the privilege of supporting a number of teams within the Ministry and love the opportunity to work with so many talented and dedicated people. I first joined the team in 2017 after a period of secondment to the Ministry. Since that time have learnt so much about the work of the Ministry and our Defence Force – it’s really rewarding place to work.
I feel like every day I am contributing to our national security and keeping New Zealanders safe.
Analyst Chris
I have been interested in military and international security issues for as long as I can remember. Following the completion of my Masters in Strategic Studies I worked in a couple of different Government jobs, but quickly after starting at the Ministry of Defence I realised this was exactly where I wanted to be.
Analysts at the Ministry have the opportunity to experience working in different teams through rotations. Currently, I work in our Defence Policy and Planning Division, where my work involves developing advice for the Government on the procurement of Defence capabilities. This means I spend my days reading and writing about the state of international affairs, insights in to the latest military vehicles and equipment, and more. A dream job.
I am also the Co-Chair of the Ministry Pride Network. The Pride Network is an employee led network dedicated to ensuring the Ministry of Defence is a safe space to work for the LGBT+ community. We hold regular events throughout the year to educate other employees on Pride related issues and also hold regular meetings for allies and members of the community to discuss our unique perspectives on working at the Ministry.
I love working at the Ministry of Defence, the people I work with are incredibly talented, fun to be around and I feel like every day I am contributing to our national security and keeping New Zealanders safe.
I am proud to work at te Manatū, the people I work with are kind, clever and driven to serve New Zealand and New Zealanders.
Managing Principal Sophie
I te taha o tōku Māmā,
Ko Ngapuhi tōku iwi
I te taha o tōku Pāpā
Ko Tangata Tiriti au
I tipu ake au i raro i te maunga Ōwairaka
Ko Rangi-mata-rau te tuaone i whāngaihia au
Ko Te Whanganui-a-Tara au e noho ana
I have worked in the public service for over a decade in enforcement, investigatory and policy roles. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Māori Studies, a Masters of International Security and a Postgraduate Certificate in Law. In all my roles I have looked for opportunities to make a difference to the lives of New Zealanders.
My work at Manatū Kaupapa Waonga (Ministry of Defence) involves managing a bright and capable group of analysts and supporting the development of advice for government on the procurement of Defence capabilities.
I am also the co-chair of the Ministry’s Hīnātore Rōpū. The Rōpū is a Ministry wide working group responsible for laying the foundations of a work programme to uplift cultural competency. Te Manatū is in the early stages of embedding this work and has already found ways to embed meaningful elements of te ao Māori.
I am proud to work at te Manatū, the people I work with are kind, clever and driven to serve New Zealand and New Zealanders.
Peter led the team which delivered HMNZS Aotearoa - the Navy’s new tanker and Antarctic support ship
Director, Air Domain Peter
After gaining his BSc (Hons), Peter joined the Royal Air Force, before moving to New Zealand and joining RNZAF. After a career in commercial roles within defence and the private sector, Peter joined the Ministry and has led the Maritime Sustainment Capability team to deliver HMNZS Aotearoa (The Royal New Zealand Navy’s new tanker and Antarctic support ship), the Network Enabled Army Programme and the new Information Domain. He is now the Director Air Domain, responsible for all Ministry led aerospace projects.
I really enjoy working with such an interesting and talented group of people.
Deputy Director, Policy Branch Simon
After a number of years in the New Zealand Army and working for another government department I joined the Ministry of Defence in 2006 as a Principal Advisor Computing and Information Technology. Since then I have worked on wide range projects including command and control systems, frigate self-defence weapons, helicopters, and work force and financial modelling.
I currently work as the Deputy Director Policy Branch providing advice to the Government on a number of challenging policy issues.
I really enjoy working with such an interesting and talented group of people. Much of the work in the Ministry is collaborative, both with the Defence Force and a wide range of other government agencies and stakeholders. It is a great opportunity to develop wide networks and exposure to the machinery of government.
In 2009 I was appointed to the team that worked on the first Defence White paper for 13 years. This work involved reviewing the entire Defence organisation over an 18-month period and presenting options to Government about the future force structure and major capabilities our Defence Force would need to meet the Government’s objectives.
The Ministry also supported me when I did part-time post graduate study, and I continue to serve as a member of the Territorial Force of the New Zealand Army, which has included a seven month operational deployment.