Working at the Ministry
Our purpose
We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes.
He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai ōna huanga.
Who we are
The Ministry of Education is the government's lead advisor on the education system, shaping the direction for Education, other government agencies and education providers.
Together...
We have more than 3,000 talented and knowledgeable people working in 37 locations around NZ. Every day, we strive to make the biggest difference we can to New Zealanders’ futures, through education.
Meet some of our people
Deborah Park
Educational Psychologist
I completed a Bachelor Degree in Psychology then spent a gap year working as a teacher aide. I really enjoyed working with students who need learning support, and it inspired me to pursue a Masters in Educational Psychology.
I've found it a perfect fit for me. Working with kids and young people gives you a sense of hope, you see first-hand how education combats inequality and poverty.
Kids pick up things so fast, the improvements can be really rapid. I chose the Ministry of Education, because I have a supportive team including more experienced psychologists I can go to for advice or to bounce ideas off. It’s highly relationship based - quite often the students have multiple needs so you need to be working closely with their whānau, teachers and other professionals.
Being in Auckland, I'm covering a big range of schools so there's a lot of driving, but it keeps it interesting - no day is the same. Working at Education feels like a really proactive way of contributing to the community. I encourage anyone considering a career in Educational Psychology to go for it. It's challenging but so worth it.
Will Jensen
Principal Advisor to Chief Executive
I studied politics at university and I was always interested in social issues, which is why I decided to join the Ministry in 2014 as a graduate analyst.
Since I've been here I've had experience and exposure that I wouldn't have had otherwise - there are opportunities to be involved in major education priorities and cross-agency work.
In my current role I'm able to be across a lot of what the Ministry's doing and get involved in higher level strategic conversations. There's a really broad education work programme underway including reviews of NCEA, school property and an education workforce strategy.
If you're interested in working in the state sector I think joining Education is a really good move. You'll be joining us at a time when the organisation really seems to be humming. It feels like you're doing really important work that has a purpose behind it.
Education makes a difference to thousands of people every day - it's great to have a role in supporting that.
Heaven-Leigh Takarangi
Service Desk Analyst
As a Service Desk analyst, I support the IT needs of principals and teachers working in the education sector. What’s really kept me here is the great team, and great managers in this organisation, who support my development and leadership aspirations.
I'm currently on a development programme for young Māori and Pasifika aspiring leaders. I've been an acting team leader and I'm looking forward to securing a permanent leadership role, hopefully inspiring other young Māori to do the same.
I've found the managers here are leaders rather than bosses. They're supportive and approachable - and lead by example. And people here are so open, so you feel you can ask questions.
We're all here for the same goal, a great education system.