Compliance Officer

New Zealand Transport Agency; Nelson; On-site; NZD 81,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Competitive salary package

5 weeks annual leave

Job summary

New Zealand Transport Agency is seeking Compliance Officers to join our Safer Commercial Transport team nationwide. You will conduct audits and reviews, assess compliance, and make sound, risk-based decisions to deliver safer outcomes across the commercial transport sector.

With a willingness to travel across regions and hold a full driver licence, you will prepare clear assessments and reports and work with colleagues to resolve complex matters while upholding privacy and information management

Qualifications

• Audits and reviews using a risk-based approach to assess compliance.
• Interpret and apply legislation, policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong risk assessment skills to identify issues and recommend actions.
• Experience gathering, analysing, and documenting information to support audits.
• Attention to detail with strong analytical and record-keeping skills.
• Effective communication across internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and decide on audits and reviews of regulated parties.
• Collect, analyse and evaluate information from diverse sources to identify non-compliance.
• Prepare clear assessments, findings and recommendations with evidence.
• Elevate complex or high-risk matters to Senior Compliance Officer.
• Maintain accurate records in line with privacy and information management requirements.
• Travel across regions to engage with transport operators.

Skills

Audits & Reviews

Legislation interpretation

Risk assessment

Data gathering & analysis

Attention to detail

Stakeholder communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in regulatory/compliance

Job description

Develop your regulatory career On-going training and development opportunities Wellington/Napier/Nelson based Start date 25 January 2027

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We have a several opportunities for Compliance Officers to join our teams around Aotearoa New Zealand. We are looking for people who have a genuine interest in making a positive impact on the commercial transport sector and growing their regulatory capability. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn and further develop your skills within an existing team of experienced practitioners. As a Compliance Officer, you’ll help deliver safer outcomes by conducting audits and reviews, assessing compliance, and making sound, risk-based decisions. You’ll apply legislation with confidence, prepare clear assessments, and work with senior colleagues on more complex matters. Working collaboratively across NZTA, you will: Coordinate, undertake, and make decisions on audits and reviews of regulated parties in line with NZTA’s regulatory and risk frameworks to help reduce risk and ensure compliance through monitoring and reviewing commercial transport operators. Collect, analyse, and evaluate information and data from a range of sources to identify potential areas of non‑compliance or emerging risk, you will meet with transport operators, gather information, write reports and analyse data to inform decisions. Prepare clear, accurate, and well‑reasoned assessments, findings, and recommendations, supported by evidence and analysis and identify matters that are complex, sensitive, or present significant risk, and elevate these promptly to the Senior Compliance Officer with appropriate context and options. Maintain accurate records and ensure information is managed in accordance with legislative, privacy, and information management requirements. Travel is a key part of this role, and you’ll regularly be engaging with operators across the regions. You must have a full driver license, with no driving convictions. You will find out more about the role here.

We are seeking to appoint at a salary between $80,388 to $89,320 commensurate to skills and experience.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with some regulatory, compliance or enforcement exposure looking to take the next step in their career. To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Experience delivering audits and reviews using a risk-based approach to assess compliance and identify opportunities for improvement
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation, policies, and regulatory requirements in a practical and consistent manner.
• Strong risk assessment skills, with the ability to identify compliance issues and recommend appropriate actions.
• Proven experience gathering, analysing, and documenting information to support audits, reviews, and investigations.
• High attention to detail, with strong analytical, documentation, and record-keeping capabilities.
• The ability to communicate effectively across different stakeholders internal and external, positivity communicates and contributes within a team environment.
• The ability to adapt your approach to different situations to get the best outcome

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector.

Qualifications: Relevant tertiary qualification or some experience in a regulatory environment would be beneficial. Operational regulatory experience or relevant technical expertise would be an advantage but is not essential.

Ko wai mātou | About us

The Safer Commercial Transport team is responsible for regulating commercial transport operators: from heavy vehicles to small passenger services. We do this by monitoring our sector through audits, reviews and investigations and working with industry to drive best practice. The team regulates transport operators that have been licensed to operate as a transport service.

Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return

• A supportive working environment
• Flexible working options
• A competitive salary package, aligned with your skills and experience
• 5 weeks annual leave and other great benefits.

Applications close: 8 November 2026

For further information, email: [e-mail] To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process. Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.

Ko wai mātou | About us

At Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, it all starts with our people. The organisation's performance and success depends on the people who choose to make this a great place to work and make a difference for Aotearoa. Waka Kotahi has a strong future focus, understanding that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system we know today will not be the one we deliver in ten years time.