The search to replace Solicitor-General Una Jagose KC, who steps down in February after a decade in New Zealand’s second-highest legal role, has commenced with the ‘dual role’ being advertised now.
A Dual Role at the Constitutional Summit
The dual position, which serves as both Junior Law Officer of the Crown and Chief Executive of Crown Law, represents the pinnacle of public sector legal leadership. Under the Constitution Act 1986, the Solicitor-General can exercise almost all statutory functions of the Attorney-General and traditionally handles functions that should be independent of political process.
Subject only to the Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General is the government’s chief legal adviser and advocate in the courts, a role Una Jagose held since 2016 after 35 years working in public law. As Solicitor-General, the successful candidate will represent the Crown in major legal proceedings, oversee the conduct of Crown prosecutions, and exercise key statutory functions on behalf of the Attorney-General, while playing a vital role in identifying and advising on whole-of-government legal risk and ensuring the legality of executive government actions.
The Remuneration Reality
When former Solicitor-General Michael Heron KC held the role, the position commanded a salary in the $600,000 to $609,999 range—placing it among New Zealand’s highest-paid public sector roles. For context, the Police Commissioner’s salary is $670,000, making the Solicitor-General role one of the elite positions in public service remuneration.
This salary level easily exceeds typical legal sector benchmarks as the average solicitor salary in New Zealand sits between $95,000 and $115,000, although senior equity-sharing partners at the major firms can earn seven figures.
What’s Required for the Role?
The role demands recognised authority in New Zealand’s legal system, with broad experience across legal sectors and as leading counsel in court, proven senior leadership in legal practice, strategic awareness of constitutional and legal risk, and the ability to lead across the public sector including engagement with Ministers, the judiciary, and the Crown Solicitor Network.
Candidates must hold a current practising certificate and obtain Top Secret Special security clearance. The Public Service Commission is now managing the appointment process.
The Pathway Forward
Traditionally, departing Solicitors-General have been elevated to the High Court bench—making this not just a career-defining appointment, but potentially a pathway to the judiciary. The role demands someone who can navigate constitutional complexities, manage high-stakes litigation, and maintain the delicate balance between legal independence and government service.
For New Zealand’s top legal minds, this represents the ultimate opportunity, leading Crown Law’s team while serving as the government’s principal legal officer, all while earning a remuneration package that reflects the constitutional significance of the role.
