Keriata Stuart
Senior Policy Analyst
New Zealand Drug Foundation

Keriata Stuart (Te Ati Awa, Taranaki) is the senior policy analyst at the New Zealand Drug Foundation – a non-government organisation (NGO) based in Wellington. She thrives on the constant variety of working in an NGO with few staff, and characterised by roles which rely on multitasking for their success.

Keriata’s role is, by her own admission, difficult to pigeon-hole. It includes researching, monitoring issues, networking with relevant organisations and information analysis to provide objective, evidence-based policy advice about matters relating to alcohol and drugs including tobacco. This work often forms the basis of submissions for shaping government policy and legislation in relation to drugs and alcohol.

Keriata is currently studying towards her Masters in Public Health. Her work has provided inspiration for her Master’s thesis which has a focus on Maori women, alcohol and pregnancy.

In August 2006 she presented her research at the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide conference in Canada where she networked with other indigenous peoples working on wellbeing and addiction in indigenous populations.Keriata says that prior to about 1989 there were no such positions as policy analysts and so in the past many people, including her, were “accidental” policy analysts. That is they were promoted into the new roles when they were established, because of their research, analysis and writing skills.

Today, however, it is possible to undertake study in public policy and many people choose policy analysis as their career path. Keriata says one of the benefits of policy work is that the skills are easily transferable to different organisations. Her public health-focused roles have included work with the State Services Commission, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the NZ Drug Foundation.

Keriata suggests that, while obtaining a relevant degree is a good starting point for anyone wanting to pursue a career in policy analysis, it is really important to back that up with practical work experience in a wide range of appropriate organisations. Then, she says, you have a wealth of real-world experience to draw on when doing academic analysis for policy development.

She recommends taking school subjects that have an emphasis on good writing and analytical research. She says being a fast reader is an essential skill as a great deal of her work involves literature-based research and information gathering and you often have to come up to speed with a totally new topic really fast.

For Keriata patience is a key personal attribute for policy analysts because it’s difficult to measure short term outcomes. She says you need to take a long term view of your work and trust that you are positively influencing policy makers.