Animal Welfare Inspector

Ministry for Primary Industries; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 76,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual wellness payment

Additional MPI leave days

Bi-annual eye test

Job summary

Ministry for Primary Industries in Christchurch is seeking a Senior/Animal Welfare Inspector to lead animal welfare and NAIT investigations across New Zealand’s primary sector. The role combines fieldwork and office duties, with national travel as required and a focus on compliance and enforcement.

You will hold statutory appointments, progress breaches under relevant Acts, and contribute to emergency management coordination.

Qualifications

• Experience in compliance and investigation processes.
• Experience managing relationships internally and externally.
• Ability to plan, manage, and prioritise multiple investigations.
• Experience conducting prosecutions and presenting evidence in court.
• Experience with animal husbandry, production systems, and primary sector operations.
• Knowledge of NAIT, primary industry organisations, and animal welfare networks.
• Experience with biosecurity systems.
• Firearms licence or the ability to obtain one (preferable).

Responsibilities

• Lead and undertake animal welfare and NAIT investigations.
• Progress breaches under Animal Welfare and NAIT Acts and prepare prosecution files.
• Engage with farmers, partners, co-regulators, and internal teams.
• Prepare reports and update investigation files in MPI data systems.
• Travel regionally and nationally as required.

Skills

Compliance & investigations

Stakeholder management

Investigation planning

Prosecutions

Animal welfare

NAIT knowledge

Biosecurity systems

Firearms knowledge

Job description

**Senior/Animal Welfare Inspector****Role type:** Permanent, Full Time**Location:** Christchurch (role sits within a national directorate; travel required)**Salary Band & Range:** Compliance Services $75,736 – $106,491 depending on skills and experience**About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga**The Compliance & Response (C&R) Directorate within Agriculture & Investment Services (AIS) plays a critical role in ensuring optimal compliance across MPI's systems.You will lead and undertake animal welfare and National Animal Identification & Tracing (NAIT) investigations that may involve political, organisational, or export‐related risk.Each day brings variety as you split your time between the field and office, engaging with farmers, industry partners, co‐regulators, and internal teams to uphold the integrity of New Zealand's primary sector.In this role you will:* Primarily hold statutory appointments as an Animal Welfare Inspector and NAIT Officer.* Hold other appointments as required (e.g., Animal Products Act, Biosecurity Act).* Ensure breaches of the Animal Welfare and NAIT Acts are identified, assessed, and progressed using appropriate intervention tools. Lead, plan, and progress investigations, including prosecution files.* Participate in readiness and response activities using the Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS).* Support regional and national animal welfare emergency management coordination.* Build and sustain strong working relationships with internal and external partners, including SPCA, NZ Police, OSPRI, emergency management agencies, and sector stakeholders.* Regularly update reports and investigation files in MPI's data systems.* Regional and national travel as required.**About You - Mōu** To be successful in this role you will bring:* Experience in compliance and investigation processes.* Experience managing relationships both internally and externally.* Ability to plan, manage, and prioritise multiple investigations.* Experience conducting prosecutions, presenting evidence in court, and applying investigative and enforcement powers.* Experience with animal husbandry, production systems, and primary sector operations.* Knowledge of primary industry organisations, NAIT agencies, and animal welfare networks.* Experience with biosecurity systems.* Firearms licence or the ability to obtain one is preferable; training will be provided in using and storing firearms/captive bolt.You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.**About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū**The Animal Welfare and NAIT Compliance group sits within Agriculture & Investment Services and works across New Zealand to deliver effective compliance and enforcement outcomes. The Christchurch team covers the large geographical area of Canterbury and works closely with other Animal Welfare Inspectors, NAIT Officers, analysts and coordinators to respond to complaints, investigate non-compliance and promote good animal welfare practices. The team also builds strong relationships with co-regulators and stakeholders, including the SPCA, OSPRI, New Zealand Police, local authorities, industry groups and other government agencies, sharing information and expertise to support consistent and effective outcomes.**About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua**The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.**Benefits - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua*** Additional MPI leave days* Annual Wellness payment* Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames**Security Checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru**To be eligible you must:* Ideally be a **NZ citizen** who has resided in NZ for the last five years, OR* Have lived in Australia, Canada, NZ, UK, or USA continuously for the last five years; and* Be able to obtain a **Secret‐level security clearance**.If you cannot meet these criteria, we are unfortunately unable to accept your application.**Drug and Alcohol Screening -** **Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro**Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred candidates(s) for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.**Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?**We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “Apply” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.**Applications close at 11.59pm on Thursday 29 October.**