Job Description
For the right candidate we will also consider remote working in other locations.
Korero mo te turanga - About the role
The Product Owner - AI is a key role in the new AI Accelerator at LINZ. The role will spearhead the development of AI-powered solutions and automation strategies at LINZ. This is a hands-on role that requires technical knowledge and strategic smarts to support the delivery of proof of concept/value pilots of AI products that will help teams work smarter, improve customer outcomes, and make better use of data.
The Product Owner - AI will partner with business teams, digital delivery, data, AI experts, and vendors to shape AI solutions that can be tested to deliver clear outcomes. The role makes sure AI solutions are useful, safe, responsible, and aligned with LINZ strategy and Government AI standards.
He pukenga tou - Skills & Experience
3-5 years' experience in AI product ownership, service delivery, digital delivery, or similar roles
Understanding of common AI concepts such as LLMs, retrieval, automation, and prompt design
Experience in government or regulated environments
Knowledge of responsible AI principles and assurance practices
Proven ability to translate business problems into clear product requirements
Strong prioritisation and decision-making skills
Experience working in SAFE agile or iterative delivery environments
Good understanding of data and digital systems
Ability to explain technical concepts in plain language
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Comfortable working with ambiguity and shaping direction in new areas
Key responsibilities
Product vision and planning
Shape and maintain the product vision and roadmap for identified AI products/solutions
; Work with stakeholders to understand problems, needs, and opportunities
; Translate business outcomes into clear product goals and measurable value
; Prioritise ideas based on impact, effort, risk, and user needs
; Support business cases and investment decisions where required
Product delivery
Lead backlog refinement and set clear priorities for delivery teams
; Write simple, clear user stories and acceptance criteria
; Support rapid discovery, experimentation, and prototyping to test ideas early
; Work closely with engineers, analysts, designers, and data specialists to remove blockers and keep delivery on track
; Review and accept completed work to ensure it meets quality and user needs
; Support change planning and adoption activities so products are embedded well
Stakeholder engagement
Build strong relationships with business owners, digital delivery, and privacy/legal teams
; Communicate product direction, decisions, and risks in plain language
; Bring people along the journey and make trade-offs clear
; Support workshops, demonstrations, and user feedback sessions
Responsible and safe use of AI
Work with governance and assurance teams to make sure AI products meet LINZ standards for privacy, safety, security, ethics, and responsible AI
; Ensure products have clear guardrails, monitoring, and feedback loops
; Support data quality, transparency, and safe use of models and tools
Key working relationships
Internal
; Property Rights Enablement team
; Digital Delivery team
; Risk team
; Privacy specialists
External
; Vendors and delivery partners
; Other government agencies working on AI capability
The annual full-time salary range for this role is between $150,000 - $170,000 depending on skills and experience.
Nga mea e tukuna ana e tatau - What we offer our employees
Interesting work which impacts Aotearoa as we care for whenua, moana and arawai.
Wellbeing allowance reimbursement
Ability to purchase additional leave
Annual Flu Vaccinations
Reduced Health Insurance Premiums
Diverse groups and networks
If eligible for paid parental leave, you will be entitled to a top up payment for the first 18 weeks of the 26 weeks.
A minimum of four weeks and three days annual leave
Te Takinatanga - Our Story
Toitu Te Whenua plays a vital role in understanding, developing, and caring for New Zealand's whenua, moana and arawai (land, sea and waterways). Whether you're developing our products and services to support our customers, managing the Crown estate, engaging with our iwi partners, or helping us be an effective regulator, your contribution can make a difference. Our mahi helps New Zealanders have confidence that the development of our land, communities and country is being planned from an informed and expert position that balances environmental, social, cultural, and economic considerations, now and for future generations.
Our Kia Toipoto Intentions - Public Service Gender, Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Pay Gap Action Plan
Toitu Te Whenua is a diverse team of individuals with different experience and perspectives. This drives our culture and high performance. We know that people from underrepresented groups and women in particular don't apply for roles if they're not a 100% match, but we're not looking for perfection, we're looking for potential. As an inclusive and supportive employer, we value difference and want to encourage anyone interested to apply, regardless of whether you tick all the boxes or not. As an organisation we embrace diversity, encourage work life balance and have a flexible approach to the way we work which means you will quickly feel connected and valued.
Tono mai - How to Apply
If you're eyeing up this role and believe you've got what it takes, please apply, or get in touch with the team.
To apply, please click "Apply Online." You'll be taken through to our Toitu Te Whenua Careers Centre where you'll be able to review further information about the responsibilities and accountabilities of this role in the Position Description. You'll be able to complete your online application form and upload a copy of your CV/Cover Letter.
Please note, while 10th March 2026 is the closing date, we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position. We also reserve the right to extend the advertising date if no suitable candidates have been identified.
For tracking and evaluation purposes, all applications must be submitted via our on-line process. You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be eligible for this position.
You may notice that the Position Description title for this role (Solution Delivery Specialist Level Wha/4) doesn't match the advertised title. At Toitu Te Whenua we design our roles around shared capabilities (rather than focusing on tasks). This means our position descriptions are broad, one position description can cover many roles, this is known as Broad Based Role (BBR). Using BBR allows us to be responsive to our customers and to strengthen the connections across our organisation. It also gives us the flexibility to provide wider opportunities to our people, to further their careers.
If you have any questions about this role or working at Toitu Te Whenua, please email opportunities@linz.govt.nz and our People Services Team will be in touch with you.
Korero mo te turanga - About the role
The Product Owner - AI is a key role in the new AI Accelerator at LINZ. The role will spearhead the development of AI-powered solutions and automation strategies at LINZ. This is a hands-on role that requires technical knowledge and strategic smarts to support the delivery of proof of concept/value pilots of AI products that will help teams work smarter, improve customer outcomes, and make better use of data.
The Product Owner - AI will partner with business teams, digital delivery, data, AI experts, and vendors to shape AI solutions that can be tested to deliver clear outcomes. The role makes sure AI solutions are useful, safe, responsible, and aligned with LINZ strategy and Government AI standards.
He pukenga tou - Skills & Experience
3-5 years' experience in AI product ownership, service delivery, digital delivery, or similar roles
Understanding of common AI concepts such as LLMs, retrieval, automation, and prompt design
Experience in government or regulated environments
Knowledge of responsible AI principles and assurance practices
Proven ability to translate business problems into clear product requirements
Strong prioritisation and decision-making skills
Experience working in SAFE agile or iterative delivery environments
Good understanding of data and digital systems
Ability to explain technical concepts in plain language
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Comfortable working with ambiguity and shaping direction in new areas
Key responsibilities
Product vision and planning
Shape and maintain the product vision and roadmap for identified AI products/solutions
; Work with stakeholders to understand problems, needs, and opportunities
; Translate business outcomes into clear product goals and measurable value
; Prioritise ideas based on impact, effort, risk, and user needs
; Support business cases and investment decisions where required
Product delivery
Lead backlog refinement and set clear priorities for delivery teams
; Write simple, clear user stories and acceptance criteria
; Support rapid discovery, experimentation, and prototyping to test ideas early
; Work closely with engineers, analysts, designers, and data specialists to remove blockers and keep delivery on track
; Review and accept completed work to ensure it meets quality and user needs
; Support change planning and adoption activities so products are embedded well
Stakeholder engagement
Build strong relationships with business owners, digital delivery, and privacy/legal teams
; Communicate product direction, decisions, and risks in plain language
; Bring people along the journey and make trade-offs clear
; Support workshops, demonstrations, and user feedback sessions
Responsible and safe use of AI
Work with governance and assurance teams to make sure AI products meet LINZ standards for privacy, safety, security, ethics, and responsible AI
; Ensure products have clear guardrails, monitoring, and feedback loops
; Support data quality, transparency, and safe use of models and tools
Key working relationships
Internal
; Property Rights Enablement team
; Digital Delivery team
; Risk team
; Privacy specialists
External
; Vendors and delivery partners
; Other government agencies working on AI capability
The annual full-time salary range for this role is between $150,000 - $170,000 depending on skills and experience.
Nga mea e tukuna ana e tatau - What we offer our employees
Interesting work which impacts Aotearoa as we care for whenua, moana and arawai.
Wellbeing allowance reimbursement
Ability to purchase additional leave
Annual Flu Vaccinations
Reduced Health Insurance Premiums
Diverse groups and networks
If eligible for paid parental leave, you will be entitled to a top up payment for the first 18 weeks of the 26 weeks.
A minimum of four weeks and three days annual leave
Te Takinatanga - Our Story
Toitu Te Whenua plays a vital role in understanding, developing, and caring for New Zealand's whenua, moana and arawai (land, sea and waterways). Whether you're developing our products and services to support our customers, managing the Crown estate, engaging with our iwi partners, or helping us be an effective regulator, your contribution can make a difference. Our mahi helps New Zealanders have confidence that the development of our land, communities and country is being planned from an informed and expert position that balances environmental, social, cultural, and economic considerations, now and for future generations.
Our Kia Toipoto Intentions - Public Service Gender, Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Pay Gap Action Plan
Toitu Te Whenua is a diverse team of individuals with different experience and perspectives. This drives our culture and high performance. We know that people from underrepresented groups and women in particular don't apply for roles if they're not a 100% match, but we're not looking for perfection, we're looking for potential. As an inclusive and supportive employer, we value difference and want to encourage anyone interested to apply, regardless of whether you tick all the boxes or not. As an organisation we embrace diversity, encourage work life balance and have a flexible approach to the way we work which means you will quickly feel connected and valued.
Tono mai - How to Apply
If you're eyeing up this role and believe you've got what it takes, please apply, or get in touch with the team.
To apply, please click "Apply Online." You'll be taken through to our Toitu Te Whenua Careers Centre where you'll be able to review further information about the responsibilities and accountabilities of this role in the Position Description. You'll be able to complete your online application form and upload a copy of your CV/Cover Letter.
Please note, while 10th March 2026 is the closing date, we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position. We also reserve the right to extend the advertising date if no suitable candidates have been identified.
For tracking and evaluation purposes, all applications must be submitted via our on-line process. You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be eligible for this position.
You may notice that the Position Description title for this role (Solution Delivery Specialist Level Wha/4) doesn't match the advertised title. At Toitu Te Whenua we design our roles around shared capabilities (rather than focusing on tasks). This means our position descriptions are broad, one position description can cover many roles, this is known as Broad Based Role (BBR). Using BBR allows us to be responsive to our customers and to strengthen the connections across our organisation. It also gives us the flexibility to provide wider opportunities to our people, to further their careers.
If you have any questions about this role or working at Toitu Te Whenua, please email opportunities@linz.govt.nz and our People Services Team will be in touch with you.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Product Owner - AI (2 year fixed term) position is now open for candidates interested in the Customer Care sector. This role in Christchurch offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Customer Care is a plus.
