---
title: 'Product Designer, Design Systems at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/product-designer-design-systems-new-zealand-trade-and-enterprise-new-zealand-dhztqj4mvzy7'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-12'
---

# Product Designer, Design Systems at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

- **Company:** New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
- **Location:** New Zealand
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-08
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/newzealandtradeandenterprise/1206c26b-de4f-4379-953a-0cf2ff36b5f9

## Job description

This role is based in New Zealand within commuting range of our offices, Wellington (preferred)

## Who we are

At New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), our purpose is to help New Zealand businesses grow internationally, bigger, better, faster. Every day, we work alongside ambitious businesses, helping them take on new markets, seize new opportunities and create greater prosperity for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our digital products are an important part of that journey. They connect businesses with the insights, tools and support they need to succeed globally. We're investing in strengthening our digital experiences and are looking for a passionate Product Designer, Design Systems to help shape the foundations that enable great design at scale.

## What you'll be doing

Design systems sit at the heart of great digital experiences.  We are proud of the work so far that we have achieved through our digital platform myNZTE and are looking for someone who will continue raising the bar in how we provide salient and impactful advice that empowers Kiwi exporters to take on the world stage.

In this role, you'll help create consistency, quality and efficiency across NZTE's customer-facing digital products. You'll work closely with designers, developers and product teams to ensure our products feel connected, intuitive and accessible for customers.

The most important work of this role is to: Own and evolve NZTE's design system, including reusable components, patterns and documentation. Improve consistency, accessibility and quality across our digital products. Partner with product and technology teams to ensure design solutions are delivered to a high standard. Explore emerging technologies and help shape how AI can be thoughtfully incorporated into design practice.

## What you'll need to be successful

We're looking for someone who genuinely cares about design craft and enjoys refining the details that elevate a good experience into a great one. You'll be naturally curious, enjoy solving complex problems, and understand how individual design decisions contribute to a larger system.

Our ideal candidate will: Bring strong UI design capability and experience designing within or contributing to design systems. Be proficient in Figma and comfortable creating scalable component libraries and design patterns. Demonstrate systems thinking and an ability to balance customer needs, business goals and platform consistency. Be curious about AI, emerging technologies and the future of digital design.

You may come from a dedicated design systems background or broader product design experience. What matters most is your passion for great design, your commitment to quality, and your ability to work collaboratively with others.

## Why you'll love working here

This is an opportunity to work on products that support businesses across New Zealand and make a genuine contribution to New Zealand's economic success.

You'll have the chance to influence the future of NZTE's digital experiences, help grow our design maturity, and contribute to how AI-enabled ways of working evolve within our design practice. You'll be surrounded by smart, supportive people who value collaboration, experimentation and continuous improvement.

At NZTE, we embrace diverse perspectives, flexible ways of working and lifelong learning. We believe our people are our greatest asset, and we're committed to helping them thrive.

## What's next

Before applying, we encourage you to explore NZTE's digital products and customer experiences on Grow your business overseas - myNZTE and via the position description - here. We want to hear from people who are excited about the opportunity to improve the way New Zealand businesses interact with NZTE.

Please apply with your resume and cover letter telling us why this opportunity interests you; with your portfolio showcasing relevant product design and design systems work.

Applications close Wednesday 23 September, 11:59pm NZST.

Applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in New Zealand.

We believe New Zealand is good for the World.  New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is an equal opportunity employer.  At NZTE it is all about our people and we seek diversity of thought; we welcome and encourage you to apply regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity or disability.  If we need to make specific accommodations in any part of the interview process, please note this in your application or discuss with the Talent Acquisition Partner.

## About New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is the New Zealand Government's international business development agency, helping Kiwi businesses grow internationally through independent export advice, global networks, and tailored solutions.
- **Entity Type**: Government Agency (New Zealand Crown entity) — not publicly traded
- **Headquarters**: Auckland, New Zealand
- **Founded**: 2003 (established by the New Zealand Government; not founder-led)
- **Founders**: N/A — established as a government agency (formed from the merger of Trade New Zealand and Industry New Zealand)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: International trade and economic development; export advisory services
- **Target customers**: B2B — New Zealand businesses at various stages of international growth, ranging from first-time exporters to established global players; also works with the New Zealand Government and international partners
- **Mission / Purpose**: To help New Zealand businesses grow internationally, contributing to New Zealand's economic success — trade adds more than NZ$100 billion in export value to the New Zealand economy annually and supports 1 in 4 Kiwi jobs.

## Products & Services
- **Export Advice & Capability Building**: Free independent advice, workshops, and capability programmes for New Zealand businesses seeking to enter or expand in international markets.
- **Global Networks & Connections**: In-market teams across nearly 50 locations worldwide who connect businesses with local partners, distributors, customers, and mentors.
- **Market Intelligence & Insights**: Expert research, market reports, and sector insights to guide export strategy and decision-making.
- **Trade Missions & Events**: Facilitated in-market visits, trade delegations, and virtual/in-person events that put New Zealand businesses in front of buyers.
- **Government-to-Government Facilitation**: As a government agency, it opens doors through international diplomatic and trade relationships.
- **Māori Business Growth Support**: Dedicated Te Pora Māori network and Māori capability resources to grow Māori exporters.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not applicable (government agency)
- **Key Metric**: Approximately 693 employees; annual revenue estimated at NZ$100M–NZ$500M (LinkedIn estimate, unverified); funded through New Zealand Government appropriation
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: New Zealand Government; Champions for Change; Southern Cross Healthcare (employee benefits); operates 46-country footprint including New Zealand, United States, Australia, China, and India
- **Growth Signals**: Helps over 5,000 New Zealand businesses annually; operates in 37+ locations, 24 time zones, and 40+ languages; distributed workforce across 46 countries; ongoing expansion of in-market teams and digital export tools

## Competitive Advantages
- **Government Mandate & Credibility**: Authority and trust that come with being the official NZ Government trade and development agency.
- **Global Reach on the Ground**: Teams embedded in nearly 50 locations worldwide, offering on-the-ground market knowledge that competitors can't easily replicate.
- **Data & Relationship Depth**: Decades of accumulated export success/lessons and connections across 100+ markets.
- **Māori Cultural Framework**: Deep commitment to tikanga and te reo Māori, with dedicated full-time Māori Capability Lead and Te Pora Māori network — a unique differentiator in the global trade space.
- **No-Cost Services to Customers**: Independent export advice is free to New Zealand businesses, creating broad reach and a mission-driven brand.

## Strategic Focus
- Growing New Zealand's international export earnings through high-value, high-growth sectors (including food & beverage, agritech, manufacturing, digital/tech services).
- Accelerating Māori economic development and export capability.
- Driving sustainability: carbon reduction targets, waste audits across major offices, and a full-time Sustainability Lead.
- Strengthening digital tools and self-serve export resources (e.g., MyNZTE).
- Connecting businesses across 24 time zones as a "One Global Team" to support more than 100 markets.

## Why Work Here
- **Flexible by default**: Remote work, flexible hours, flexible return-to-work options after parental leave — arrangements that work for the individual, team, and NZTE.
- **Leave & wellbeing**: For NZ-based employees: 5 weeks' annual leave, 10 days' sick/wellbeing leave (rollover up to 20 days), 10 days' domestic violence leave, and free annual flu vaccinations. Access to a dedicated mental health hub and Employee Assistance Programme with up to 6 confidential counselling sessions per year (extends to immediate whānau).
- **Development culture**: Extensive in-house training (leadership, coaching, business acumen), a highly rated internal coaching programme, support for external study fees, and international/local secondment opportunities.
- **Inclusive workplace**: Winner of the Leadership Award (Medium-Large Organisation) at the Diversity Awards NZ; first in the Champions for Change group to reach gender balance at all levels of leadership (40% women / 40% men / 20% any gender).
- **Cultural grounding**: Kia Kaha — an overnight marae-based induction for new joiners — and a strong commitment to tikanga and te reo Māori.
- **Practical perks**: KiwiSaver employer matching (3% per Life at NZTE page; "up to 3.5%" per the Careers page — conflicting reports, both cited below), Microsoft Surface laptop, iPhone where needed, corporate gym discounts, and Southern Cross medical discount scheme.
- **Global mobility**: Nearly 50 locations mean real international career opportunities; annual 'Pounamu Awards' celebrate employee achievements.
- **Mission-driven work**: Directly contributes to New Zealand's economic prosperity, with a strong sustainability agenda and an active employee community leading green initiatives.

## Sources
1. [nzte.govt.nz — Careers at NZTE](https://www.nzte.govt.nz/page/careers-at-nzte)
2. [nzte.govt.nz — About NZTE](https://www.nzte.govt.nz/page/about-nzte)
3. [linkedin.com — New Zealand Trade and Enterprise](https://linkedin.com/company/new-zealand-trade-and-enterprise)
4. [nzte.govt.nz — Life at NZTE](https://www.nzte.govt.nz/page/life-at-nzte)
5. [jobs.lever.co — NZTE Jobs](https://jobs.lever.co/newzealandtradeandenterprise)

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