Senior Policy Advisor

What does a typical day in your role look like?

I spend most of my time reading government consultations — whether from central or local government — on proposed changes to legislation or policy. I work with industry partners and growers to understand how these changes might impact them. I then draft responses that reflect growers’ needs and views, or provide feedback on submissions from industry partners. The topics I cover are wide-ranging, including environmental issues, health and safety, immigration, infrastructure, agrichemicals, and business administration.

How did you get into this role?

I previously worked in regulatory roles for the government in Wellington. My job was to analyse laws and explain how people should apply them in practice. Now, I analyse proposed policies and legislation to understand how they’ll affect growers — and I tell the government whether it’s a good idea or not.

Did you need to study for this role, if so, what did you study?

No — I kind of fell into it. Many people study law or political science to enter this field, but I studied management.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

After years working in government, I’ve found the private sector offers a refreshing change. In government, many people write rules without understanding how things work on the ground. I enjoy learning how everything fits together and applying that knowledge to real-life situations. I also like helping people in the industry understand how government processes work — it’s rewarding to bridge that gap.

What’s something unique, surprising, or fun about your role or team?

It’s a “jack of all trades” kind of role — you end up knowing a little bit about a lot of things in policy. That variety keeps things interesting.

What advice would you give someone interested in your role or career path?

Be curious!