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Ever wanted to be in control of a country’s policies and procedures, but can’t stand the campaigning and electioneering that your average politician has to do to get in Parliament? Do you want to shape the future of the law, but don’t necessarily want to be an argumentative lawyer in court? Why not take up a role with a government organisation as a policy adviser/analyst? Generally speaking, policy advisers examine the regulations, laws and bylaws that govern a particular sector, and help to pinpoint issues that may arise when these laws are applied to particular given circumstances.
To become a policy adviser/analyst, a tertiary entrance qualification will almost certainly be required. Bursary or NCEA or other equivalents in English, Economics or History would be useful across the board, but other subjects relevant to your field of interest would also help as starting points for your career.
 Many policy analysts started off studying Law in a tertiary institute, with the legal interpretation skills they learn in that degree becoming very valuable as they go about their jobs. However, it is not uncommon to see policy analysts with Business, Science, Politics and/or Economics degrees either. Many tertiary institutes in NZ also offer postgraduate certificates or diplomas in Public Policy, which are directly related to your future degree. Whatever the qualification, however, a policy analyst should have a keen and logical mind and be able to communicate their ideas and findings clearly and effectively. Check out these programs that some NZ tertiary institutes are offering:
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A Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Public Management) at Victoria University.
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A Bachelor of Laws at the University of Auckland.
- Master of Public Policy at Massey University.
 The best part about being a policy adviser is the fact that you get to immerse yourself in your particular area of interest, and there are many government departments to choose from, be it farming, the ozone layer, or even Kiwisaver! If you fancy yourself a bit of a greenie, hit up the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry or the Ministry for the Environment websites. If taxation is something that you’re interested in, try out a position with the Internal Revenue Department. The Department of Internal Affairs is your stop if you want to bring about change in NZ’s censorship, civil defence or ethnic affairs regulations. Give the NZ Government website a look for the full array of government authorities that are looking for policy advisers!
Cool Links:
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Check out some of the dumbest laws some countries and/or States have made. Ever. It’s laws like these that just cry out for change! Non better than this Californian beauty: “It is a misdemeanour to shoot at any kind of game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale”. Good to know.
- Get a censor to come to your school for a day! Find out just what makes a film “objectionable”... NZ’s censorship policies are constantly reviewed and refined.
- NZ is a cultural melting-pot, as the sheer number of cool Maori, Pacific, and Asian events on NZLive.com shows. Policy advisers with the Department of Ethnic Affairs work to help the people who identify as African, Asian, Continental European, Latin American, Middle Eastern and/or other ethnic minorities develop their communities and help them settle into NZ life.
The Literature:
 Organizing for Foreign Policy Crises
Presidents, Advisers, and the Management of Decision Making
By Patrick J. Haney, Patrick J. Haney
Presidents often assemble ad hoc groups of advisers to help them make decisions during foreign policy crises. These advisers may include the holders of the traditional foreign policy positions--secretaries of state and defense--as well as others from within and without the executive branch.
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