Why consider a career with the Ministry of Economic Development?
[ Last Updated 30 June 2006 ]
The Ministry of Economic Development fosters economic development and prosperity for New Zealanders - and also fosters the ambitions of people wanting to build a career in a top-class public service.
We provide high-quality advice to Government ministers across a wide range of sectors, encompassing economic development, commerce, tourism, communications, energy, consumer affairs, small business and information technology. With our work spanning a breadth of industries we have a highly visible profile with both the media and the public we serve.
Not only do we provide advice on internal issues affecting New Zealand; our people are also instrumental in forming policy which shapes our relationships with the rest of the world. Additionally, we are a key link between businesses, the Government and consumers in sustaining and enhancing our economic environment, with specialised units that focus on providing online and operational services to New Zealand businesses.
We look for people with a passion for forward-thinking, who like to challenge the status quo, and who enjoy having their own ideas tested in robust surroundings. We are enthusiastic about the Ministry's work and our contribution to it. We devolve responsibility for tasks to those most capable of handling them, and employees are trusted in their judgements and have the resources and guidance needed to succeed.
Our operational services are leading edge and innovative. We continuously make them easier to use. We have won awards for our enterprising use of technology and successful implementation of e-government.
We have developed an image of an organisation that delivers and that is attractive for people to want to work with us.
Our Employment Relationship
We all have a critical role to play in the Ministry successfully achieving its part in New Zealand's economic growth. We aim for a positive and encouraging work environment that supports building capability and reinforcing an accountable culture. We do this by:
- supporting employees to fulfil their tasks and duties
- encouraging and engaging in open two-way communication
- exercising good judgment
- promoting responsiveness, flexibility and efficiency in meeting stakeholder needs
- encouraging ongoing skill development and recognising and rewarding positive performance
- supporting employees to have work-life balance
- observing and promoting equal employment opportunities, cultural awareness and valuing diversity
We are a professional organisation committed to providing high quality advice to government and high quality services to New Zealanders. The way in which you as an employee conduct yourself is important, both in your relationships in your work environment, and in terms of the wider reputation of the Ministry and public service. The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to inform you about the minimum standards of integrity and conduct expected of you as an employee of the Ministry. It sets out the standards of behaviour required of our people as public servants and Ministry of Economic Development employees. The code builds on the minimum requirements and expectations set out in the State Services Commission's Public Service Code of Conduct and reflects the legislation applying to public servants generally (the State Sector Act 1988) and specifically to Ministry of Economic Development employees.
Benefits
To enable you to enjoy your career at the Ministry of Economic Development we offer the following entitlements and benefits:
To enable you to enjoy your career at the Ministry of Economic Development we offer the following entitlements and benefits:
Work-Life Balance
We recognise that there's more to life than just work and we encourage you to get the right balance between work and personal obligations. We endeavour to accommodate arrangements that make it easier for our employees to do this, for example, where possible through flexible working arrangements.
Induction
The Human Resources team, in co-operation with your branch and manager, will arrange a comprehensive induction programme to support you in your new role during both your first week and for the first three months of your employment. This includes familiarisation with and training on the many services and internal systems that are part of our daily life.
Eye Care
Employees who are engaged on duties that require them to spend at least 50 percent of their normal working time in front of a computer screen are entitled to reimbursement for the cost of an eye test plus up to a maximum of $250 towards corrective lenses every three years of employment.
Healthcare Scheme
We offer our employees access to a choice of plans offered on either of two group medical insurance schemes with a major healthcare provider. This entitles employees to:
- reduced premiums with easy payment methods
- no 90-day waiting to claim
- comprehensive cover for most conditions and dependents
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a free, confidential, independent and voluntary service giving you access to up to three sessions with a trained counsellor to assist with anything that may be affecting your work and/or personal life.
Flu Vaccinations
We encourage healthy living and provide a complimentary flu vaccination each year prior to the onset of winter.
Preschool Child Care Subsidy
We offer a pre-school child care subsidy of up to a maximum of $1,000 per year for any employee earning less than $38,000 working 20 hours or more per week. Other subsidy levels exist if you work less than 20 hours per week and you meet the criteria.
School Holiday Programme
We run a school holiday programme at our Wellington Head Office location for a total of five weeks a year during the main school holidays for the children of employees. Children between the ages of 5 and 12 are eligible to enrol in this 9:00am to 5:00pm programme at a subsidised cost.
Learning and Development
Our Learning and Development team provide guidance on a range of opportunities to assist with your ongoing development during your employment with us. A number of programmes are listed on our internal website and all employees are encouraged to work closely with their managers to identify appropriate development initiatives that fulfil their specific learning needs. Examples of development initiatives include stretch assignments, coaching and mentoring, attending training courses, part time tertiary study and secondments. Our approach to learning and development ensures that you grow the capabilities you need to excel in your current role as well as building new ones to be able you to achieve your career goals
Development Awards
Each year applications are invited from staff to apply (via a contestable process) for a Chief Executive Scholarship, Managerial, or Specialist Award. These awards provide approved staff with an opportunity to undertake tailored programmes of study that deepen and strengthen their skills for their current and future Ministry roles. Recent examples of approved awards include study programmes through the Australia New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG), the London School of Economics, Oxford, Harvard, and Mt Eliza Business School.
Ex-Gratia Payment for Parental Leave
Three months after returning from Parental leave, we offer a one off payment of up to 6 weeks Salary (or equal to the number of working days parental leave taken) for employees with at least 12 months service.
Holiday Homes (Marram Trust Holiday Homes/Trustaide)
The Marram Trust (Previously Sevenaway) Holiday Homes Network offers affordable quality holiday accommodation at a range of great locations throughout New Zealand and a medical assistance programme for ordinary and specialist medical expenses. Membership of the Marram Trust is voluntary and membership dues are paid via MED payroll.
Social Club
The Ministry has an active social club with regular activities hosted throughout the year. We also actively support sporting activities such as touch rugby, netball, business house relays, and dragon boating.
Banking Packages
As a government employee receiving salary from the Ministry of Economic Development you may obtain fee exemptions and lower mortgage interest and insurance premium rates on various aspects of banking through our association with Westpac New Zealand Limited.
Long Service Leave
You are entitled to one week of long service leave after completion of both 10 and 15 years of Ministry service, and an additional two weeks of long service leave upon the completion of 20 years of Ministry service.
Annual Leave
From the date of commencement of your employment if you are a permanent full time employee you will accrue 23 days of annual leave which you will become entitled to on the completion of your first year of service. On the completion of six years continuous service, your annual leave entitlement will increase to 25 days. We allow employees to use leave prior to their entitlement. Part-time employees are allowed annual leave on a pro-rata basis.
Public Holidays
In addition to your annual leave entitlement, New Zealand celebrates 11 public holidays per annum. These include:
- New Year's Day
- January 2
- Waitangi Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- ANZAC Day (25 April)
- Queens Birthday (first Monday in June)
- Labour Day (fourth Monday in October)
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
- Your provincial anniversary day (generally observed on the Monday nearest to the actual day)
Note - These public holidays are observed on the actual day when they fall, however if the Christmas and New Year holidays fall on a weekend, the following Monday and Tuesday of each are granted as holidays. If Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day fall on a weekend, there is no alternative holiday.
KiwiSaver
Provided you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be automatically enrolled into the KiwiSaver Scheme when you commence employment. The Ministry is required by law to do this. If you are already a KiwiSaver member you should advise Payroll in Human Resources of your membership when you start.
A contribution of 4% of gross salary will be deducted from your fortnightly pay or you can choose to contribute at the higher rate of 8%. In addition, the Ministry will make an employer contribution of 1% of your gross salary to your KiwiSaver scheme. From 1 April 2009 this employer contribution increases to 2% and further increases will occur annually until the employer contribution reaches 4%.
You will be provided with a booklet outlining the key features of KiwiSaver when you commence employment. You can also source further information from the KiwiSaver website.
Other Retirement Schemes
As of 1 April 2008 it is no longer possible to join SSRSS (State Services Retirement Savings Scheme) and the GSF (Government Super Fund) has been closed to new members since 1992, however, the payroll team and human resources advisors can assist with information about how KiwiSaver related to these schemes.
Unions
There are two unions, the Public Service Association (PSA) and the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE), who represent staff within Ministry of Economic Development in matters relating to their employment. Membership is voluntary. Fees prescribed by each union and deducted by Payroll.
Graduate Recruitment Programme
The Ministry of Economic Development runs an annual recruitment programme where we visit University Careers Fairs and openly invite top quality graduates to join the Ministry on an escalated learning and development programme. The graduate recruitment programme generally begins in April and offers of employment to successful applicants are made by the end of July with graduates generally commencing their employment with us at the beginning of the following calendar year.
Internships
We offer Summer Internship opportunities to students through the State Services Commission annual internship scheme.
International Candidates
We are able to provide assistance to international candidates or ex-pats returning from overseas who have been offered employment with the Ministry of Economic Development. This includes assistance with immigration requirements, and may also include support with relocation.
The above list is intended as a guide to the range of benefits of working with the Ministry of Economic Development. It is neither exhaustive nor complete in all details but is meant to be indicative and provide an overview.
For further information on any of these please contact the Ministry's Human Resources team at either:
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