Financial Markets Authority
Graduate Programme - Law (Jul 2025)
Auckland, Wellington
Opportunity details
- Graduate Job or Program
- NZD 60,000 - 63,000 / Year
- Enhanced leave entitlements & employer KiwiSaver contributions
- 2 vacancies
- Apply by 28 Mar 2025
- Start date 20 Jul 2025
- Permanent job opportunities to join our Graduate Programme starting on 21 July 2025
- Offering both Wellington and Auckland based positionsโ
By joining the FMA, you'll join a community of supportive, approachable and collaborative teammates - all working towards the same goal of making New Zealand's financial sector work for everyone. You'll make lifelong connections, build a professional network, get paid to learn and find your passion!โ
What youโll be doing:
As an FMA Law Graduate you will have the ability to rotate through several sub teams across our legal network and learn how your law degree can be put into practise. An example of the teams you will have exposure to are:
Response and Enforcement
The legal team that carries out the FMAโs enforcement action in cases where there is evidence of breaches of financial markets legislation. They manage litigation (going to court) from the filing of civil proceedings or criminal charges and throughout the various phases of litigation.
Evaluation & Oversight โ Legal
The team that advises on what the law means, not just what it says. They work with the FMAโs front-line operational teams to manage legal risks, liaise with market participants and their advisers in relation to complex legal issues and contribute to policy development.
The Graduate Programme:
Our holistic programme will immerse you in New Zealand's financial markets and the regulatory world, where you'll have meaningful work that contributes to our goal of fostering the fairest financial sector in the world. โ
From day one, our structured Early Careers programme provides:โ
- a dedicated buddy and ongoing mentoringโ
- ongoing learning that is tailored to your cohort and a progression pathway
- valuable networking opportunities with your peers and colleagues from across the FMA and access to industry experts โ
You'll have inspiring and diverse opportunities through our rotational 18-month programme, where you will have 1-2 rotations throughout this time. โAfter you've completed your 18-month Graduate programme we will work with you on finding your permanent home in the organisation.
Who we are & what we offer:
Our culture is a major drawcard, attracting people from across both public and private sectors. We're inclusive and welcoming, embracing diverse backgrounds and perspectives. It's the best of both worlds - we're small enough to feel a real sense of belonging and big enough to have a meaningful impact through our empowering mandate.โ
- An attractive starting salary of $63,500 with annual performance reviews that could see you reach $70,000 in your fist 12 months.
- 4 weeks annual leave, plus up to 5 extra paid leave days over the Christmas period
- 4% company contribution to your KiwiSaver
- Flexible working with the ability to work up to 2 days from home once competent in role
โIf this sounds like you then apply now to express your interest in kick starting your career the FMA way!
Hiring criteria
- No experience required
- New Zealand Citizen
- Business & Management +more
- Bachelor or higher
Reviews
My role involves completing two research projects, so most of the time I am working on these projects. I would also occasionally have some intern information and catch-up sessions accompanied with meeting with various stakeholders as part of the drafting of my research.
I have been carrying out an individual project with the help of my supervisor throughout the summer period. The project involves research into the market and writing on the findings.
I was left to my own devices (which I liked) and whilst I highlighted that the work, I was doing was not only inconsistent from the input I got from other within the organization I was directed to continue on. Frankly I felt guilty taking my paycheck every fortnight.
About the employer
Financial Markets Authority
4.2
100 - 500 employees
Government & Public Service
With us, you'll enable and empower New Zealanders to have confidence that the financial services sector is fair and is working well for them.
Pros and cons of working at Financial Markets Authority
Pros
Being able to work from home twice a week gives me a much better work-life balance and improves my productivity overall.
The company is very relaxed, with good worker benefits, and a positive culture. Everyone is committed to helping me develop. The work is interesting and varied. I feel like I am making a positive contribution to society.
They made us Interns feel very welcome from day one. Everybody has been extremely nice and inclusive; it is the best work culture I have ever experienced. We were also given the opportunity to learn about how other teams operate which is really helpful as we may find an area of work that we could be interested in working with in the future.
The people are the best thing about the company. My colleagues are clearly smart individuals who know what they are talking about. They are motivated and collaborative.
What I really enjoy about working at the FMA is firstly the purpose and objectives that the FMA base their work upon. As the purpose of the FMA is to ensure the conduct of market participants within New Zealand's financial markets are fair, transparent, and efficient, the projects you work on serve a great purpose towards helping financial institutions of all shapes and sizes, so your role and project are highly valued by your team and managers. Secondly, the work environment is incredible - everyone is kind, and willing to lend a hand when you need.
Cons
Nothing thus far!
My possible increase in remuneration is lower working here than at other potential workplaces that I could go to.
It is usually a good thing but sometimes I feel like the environment is so relaxed that my productivity starts to decrease.
I think the lack of meaningful work for me is what I think is the worst thing about the company. It is not to say that there wasn't meaningful work being done by the rest of my colleagues; rather it was my project was not fulfilling.
There is nothing horrible I have encountered working at the FMA. The only aspect maybe that sometimes the tenure of the internship can impose a limit at to how deeply you can research and complete your project. But besides from this, everything is great no issues I am aware of.