---
title: 'Research Specialist - 11-month fixed term at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/research-specialist-11-month-fixed-term-new-zealand-trade-and-enterprise-7mcaqkq5x4b2'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-07'
---

# Research Specialist - 11-month fixed term at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

- **Company:** New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
- **Location:** Auckland, New Zealand
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-11-01
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/newzealandtradeandenterprise/23482fdf-1bb8-45b2-b303-8765c0d1c44f

## Job description

This is an 11-month fixed-term role, based in Auckland. Who are we: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is New Zealand's international business development agency, we help companies grow bigger, better, faster, for the good of New Zealand. We’re looking for an experienced Research Specialist to join our team on an 11-month fixed-term basis (January 2027 - December 2027) inour Customer Capability team, within Customer Solutions group (CSG). CSG’S mission is to provide fast and flexible matching of expertise, knowledge, and experiences to our customers, enabled by digital.

## What you’ll be doing

Run discovery with New Zealand businesses to understand their export goals and the decisions they need to make, then scope and design research projects that support their growth in overseas markets. Deliver those projects from planning through data collection and analysis, using primary and secondary research (such as consumer and B2B surveys, market and trade data, and competitor and regulatory research), to support each customer’s commercial objectives and decision-making. Build working networks across NZTE, including with Customer Managers and the International teams, so research is matched to customer needs and reaches the people who can use it. You’ll have opportunities to contribute to how the team works, including our tools, processes and use of AI

For more information on the role please view the Position Description.

What you’ll need to be successful:

- You will be a great relationship builder with the ability to interact with key influences and decision makers across all levels. Along with this you will be customer focused and able to manage multiple needs, priorities and expectations.
- A natural problem solver, you will be able to use initiative, be forward thinking and decisive while staying cool under pressure.
- You are a great storyteller, being able to design and present reports in a visually appealing way.
- You are highly analytical, able to analyse and interpret trends, patterns and correlations within different types of data to create thought-provoking insights for New Zealand business, underpinned by your sound commercial understanding
- Highly comfortable presenting and public-speaking, with the ability to communicate insights and findings to a wide range of audiences, including highly senior business decision-makers.
- You will be skilled at identifying key insights across large information sets (data and anecdotal) and making them meaningful for our customers.
- Have depth of experience in primary market research, survey design and analysis
- Have high-level report writing skills and able to clearly articulate messages across informal and formal communication channels, with a skill in clear, simple, meaningful messages.

Why you'll love working here: NZTE is a truly global organisation, giving you the experience of working with different cultures. We know that life is not all about work, and flexible working at NZTE is standard practice. On top of this, we also offer five weeks' annual leave so you can have that extra time in the year to enjoy what you love doing.

Career development is another huge part of working at NZTE and we will help you with your aspirations and work with you to get you there – being a learning environment that encourages adventure and experimentation, what better place to grow your career!

What's next: If you have the legal right to work in New Zealand please apply now with a CV and cover letter outlining  why you feel you are a fit for the role and for NZTE. Applications close: 11.59pm Sunday 15th November. Please note: We will be reviewing applications as they come in and may close the role early, so we encourage you to apply soon.

This role is banded NZ L15.

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 team.

## 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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