Work for us

Mō te tūnga - About the role
Reporting to the Legal Services Manager, you will be responsible for the provision of high quality and timely legal and regulatory advice and managing litigation files in relation to the licensing and disciplinary process contained in the Real Estates Agents Act 2008 and its associated Regulations and Codes. This role may include working with external counsel on litigation files before the Disciplinary Tribunal or Courts and appearances on behalf of REA when appropriate. Support from other members of the team will be readily available to you. 
You will also undertake work in relation to:
•    Research and opinions
•    Assisting staff responsible for managing the licensing and other activities of REA
•    Ensuring that the policies and practices underpinning REA’s activities meet the highest possible standards, are rigorous, fair, and able to stand up to in-depth professional and judicial scrutiny
•    Legal advice for the guidance and direction of Complaint Assessment Committees and REA teams
•    Building strong and effective relationships across REA and with external stakeholders
•    Providing mentoring to colleagues in the legal team 

Mōu - About you
You will have at least 5 years’ PQE, with experience managing litigation and/or appearing before Tribunals or Court either within private practice or an in-house environment. As well as being able to hold a NZ practising certificate, you will also have some or all of the following:
•    A strong understanding of regulatory regimes and the machinery of government
•    Knowledge of the principles of property and public law
•    Excellent communication and a collaborative working style
•    Evidence a regard for diverse perspectives, ensuring the fair treatment of all people
•    Proven ability to provide coaching or mentoring to team members

Tono mai - Apply here
If this sounds like an opportunity you would like to pursue, please send your CV, Cover Letter and a completed application form [DOCX, 118 KB] to recruitment@rea.govt.nz

The job description can be found here [PDF, 98 KB]. 

Please let us know if you have any specific access needs to allow you to participate in our recruitment process.
Applications Close at 5pm 12 March 2025. 

Please note, you must have a legal right to work in New Zealand. Successful appointment is conditional upon police vetting and qualification checks.

Role Purpose
As a member of Complaints Assessment Committees (CAC) appointed by REA under s75 of
the Real Estate Agents Authority Act 2008 (the Act), the role is required to perform the
functions set out in s78 of the Act, including inquiring into and investigating complaints and
allegations about any licensee, laying and prosecuting charges before the Real Estate
Disciplinary Tribunal, and making final determinations about complaints, inquiries or
investigations.

Key accountabilities

The accountabilities for of the CAC panel members are to:

• perform the key functions of Complaints Assessment Committees in accordance with
  agreed timelines which are:
  • Inquire into and investigate complaints made under section 74 of the act.
  • On its own initiative, inquire into and investigate allegations about any licensee.
  • Make final determinations in relation to complaints, inquiries or investigations.
  • To lay, and prosecute, charges before the Disciplinary Tribunal.
  • In appropriate cases, to refer the complaint to another agency.
  • To inform the complainant and the person complained about of its decision, reasons for the decision, and appeal rights.
  • To publish its decisions.
• work as a committee to make and return timely decisions and determinations to REA
• ensure observance of the rules of natural justice, procedural fairness and evidence
• ensure decisions and processes are in accordance with the object and purpose of the Act
• ensure that all written decisions and determinations are in compliance with REA
  guidelines and the Act
• be available for all scheduled CAC remote hearings and any face-to-face meetings
• participate in induction, training days and keep knowledge up to date
• be responsive to requests and enquiries from REA
• maintain open and regular communication with REA staff in all aspects of CAC
  processes
• record and submit monthly timesheets to REA

Qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience

The following qualifications, skills and experience are required:

• experience and knowledge of one or more of the following:
  • law (7+PQE)
  • the real estate industry
  • consumer affairs
• ability to work within tight time frames
• excellent written and oral communication skills,
• plain English, drafting and editing experience
• sound reasoning and logic
• ability to make decisions that may be subject to review
• collective decision-making and/or decision writing experience
• strong leadership and communication skills
• a good understanding of Microsoft products and ability to manage electronic documents
• Knowledge and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and an understanding and awareness of
  the needs of New Zealand’s diverse communities

Each appointment is for a five-year term. Remuneration for panel members is set in accordance with the Cabinet Office Fees Framework and is currently between $56 and $92 per hour depending on the position held (Chair, Deputy Chair or Member)

We have 4 positions available. The Consumer role is to start right away. The other 3 roles (Lawyer, Consumer, Real Estate) will have a starting date in October 2025. 

The job description can be found here.  [PDF, 230 KB]

Expression of interest 

 Apply by sending your CV, covering letter and expression of interest form [DOCX, 113 KB] to recruitment@rea.govt.nz

Applications close at 5.00pm on 11 March 2025.

For any support with the application process, please contact recruitment@rea.govt.nz

Questions

For more information about the roles, please contact Sue Johnston, Investigation and CAC Manager at Sue.Johnston@rea.govt.nz. 

The Role

 As a regulator operating in a dynamic environment with significant regulatory, legislative and compliance implications for the real estate industry, the Senior Legal and Regulatory Policy Advisor works to identify opportunities for improvement to our regulatory system.

This senior role enables proactive engagement with the sector and wider property system in issues of importance in the real estate sector, ensuring REA effectively delivers its regulatory mandate.

 We’re looking for someone to:

• Actively monitor and evaluate legislative and regulatory changes to ensure alignment with REA’s activities
• Be responsible for creating sound, thoughtful legal and regulatory policy advice, solutions and approaches that deliver on our legislative intent, support REA’s strategic priorities and meet our overall purpose. 
• Play a key part in supporting effective decision making by the senior leadership team, Chief Executive and board on regulatory policy issues.
• Work across REA in assessing the operational impact of legislative change and policy development and to ensure REA remains up to date with such changes to our legislative and regulatory operating environment 
• Identify and advise on opportunities to improve REA’s regulatory impact and meet its strategic goals and priorities. 

 About you

You’ll be a qualified lawyer with at least 5 years post admission experience. Your experience working in a regulatory and policy environment and sound understanding of the machinery of government is essential to allow you to create sound, thoughtful operational policy advice, solutions and approaches. 

 Benefits

REA’s people are welcoming, collaborative and committed to making a difference for New Zealand.  You can expect rewarding and complex work in a sector that is critical to New Zealand. A central Wellington CBD location, commitment to staff professional development, and an active social club are some of the benefits of joining the REA team.

 Apply now!

Please direct any queries and send your CV, Cover Letter and a completed application form [DOCX, 118 KB] to recruitment@rea.govt.nz

The job description can be found here. [PDF, 270 KB] 

Please note, you must have a legal right to work in New Zealand. Successful appointment is conditional upon police vetting and qualification checks.

Applications have now closed.