Vacancy: Communications Manager

Wellington | Full-time, permanent

Starting salary range: $122,000-$130,000

Make the great outdoors easier to enjoy

Every New Zealander should be able to walk, ride or paddle their way into the outdoors. The Outdoor Access Commission, Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, helps make that happen. We’re the Crown agency that advocates for free, certain, enduring and practical access to the outdoors.

We’re a small team: 12 full-time staff in Wellington and 11 part-time field advisors across the country. We’d like you to help tell our story.

What you’ll do

• You get to run the whole show: website, media, newsletters, social media, corporate documents… There are no layers of bureaucracy — it’s just you.
• Turn strategy into action. You’ll lead our day-to-day communications and keep our messages and branding strategic, effective and consistent.
• Write things people want to read. Our website, newsletters, social media, speeches, briefings, annual reports and the Statement of Intent all need a clear, plain-English voice. That voice is yours.
• Be the first call for media. You’ll handle routine enquiries, write releases and flag anything sensitive to the chief executive early.
• Keep an eye on the horizon. You’ll watch the political, cultural and media landscape and tell us what’s coming.
• Look after the details. You’ll keep the communications budget, the files, the image library and our promotional material in good order.

What you’ll bring

• Several years in communications, ideally with some public sector or Crown agency experience.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Some experience coordinating or leading others, and a ‘muck-in’ attitude.
• Sound judgement with sensitive information, a pride in the public sector, and the ability to advise senior leaders when things get tricky.
• A working understanding of how government operates in New Zealand.
• A developing understanding of the principles of mauri.
• Comfort with digital tools, social media and web analytics.
• Initiative and self-management. The job comes with freedom based on trust. That trust is founded on an expectation of self-motivation and self-management.

Bonus points for

• A genuine love of the outdoors
• Accessible web content know-how
• Design, photography or video skills
• Journalism or broadcast media experience

Why join us

You’ll work on something New Zealanders care about, in a small team where you have your hands on all aspects of communications. You’ll have a direct line to the chief executive. If you can explain a complex issue in a few clear sentences and you like a good tramp, we’d like to hear from you.

Apply

Download the position description

For more information, or to ask questions, contact Stephen Day.

Apply by Tuesday 24 November 2026.

Please provide a cover letter and resume, along with an example of your communications work.