Health and Safety Inspector

New Zealand Government; Napier; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free life insurance

Home workstation setup subsidy

Health insurance discounts

Five weeks annual leave

15 days sick leave

Learning and development opportunities

Reward and Recognition Framework

Job summary

WorkSafe New Zealand in Napier seeks a Trainee Health and Safety Inspector to begin with foundation training and hands-on coaching. You will perform site visits, collect evidence, and prepare reports while travelling across the region to support health and safety outcomes.

The role offers on-the-job learning, a path to Inspector I, and opportunities to develop culturally aware practice, including te reo and tikanga Maori. You may be on-call after qualification.

Qualifications

• The ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt when situations change.
• Strong communication and collaboration, with the ability to build relationships.
• Ability to communicate in additional languages is highly regarded.
• The ability to use a range of methods to communicate, both written and verbal.
• Proven experience in problem-solving.
• Cultural awareness and a willingness to build your understanding and skill in te reo and tikanga Maori.
• The ability to plan and prioritise tasks effectively to achieve results.
• Be a NZ/Australian citizen or NZ Permanent Resident/Resident.
• Have a full, clean driver licence.
• Confident in using various forms of technology.
• Able to work across locations.
• Once you are experienced and are a qualified Inspector, you may be required to be on-call roster.

Responsibilities

• Site visits and inspections as part of the mahi.
• Compile reports and investigate accidents to prevent harm.
• Travel within the region and occasional overnight stays for training.
• Build rapport with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Assess information and risks to identify the best outcome and ensure safe work for New Zealanders.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Strong communication

Cultural awareness te reo Maori

Problem-solving

Driver licence

Travel adaptability

Job description

Make a positive difference to the health, safety and wellbeing of all AotearoaThe Frontline Inspector role is dynamic, with no two days the sameWorkSafe is investing in growing this teamBecome a Health and Safety Inspector and help influence our community to ensure everyone who goes to work comes home healthy and safe.About us - Mo tatouWhat is the most important thing in the world, it is people, it is people, it is peopleHe aha te mea nui o tenei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.Hello, Kia ora, Noa'ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Malo e lelei, Talofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Malo ni, Kia orana, n ho, Kamusta.WorkSafe New Zealand | Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa, is the primary workplace health and safety regulator - our vision is that everyone who goes to mahi comes home healthy and safe. Our kaimahi are passionate about our vision and embrace and demonstrate our Matapono WorkSafe Values through the mahi they do:Whakakotahi - we're united in a strong purposeKorero mai - we engage meaningfullyTiakina mai - we're entrusted with a duty of care.About your team - Ko te timaThe Inspectorate at WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru plays a critical role in workplace health and safety. The Inspectorate's overall goal is to prevent workplace harm, promote a culture of health and safety, and hold organisations accountable for maintaining healthy and safe working conditions.Guided by evidence about acute, chronic, and catastrophic harm, WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru prioritise high-risk sectors and high-risk activities. Across these priority areas, WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru deliver enforcement, engagement and permitting activities to maximise our influence and achieve better, more equitable outcomes.Our Napier office is made up of an experienced and collaborative team that values consistency, mutual support, and personal growth. We foster a culture built on learning, respect, friendship, and kindness-where everyone is encouraged to share knowledge and grow, both individually and as a team.We focus on four key industries: forestry, agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. Learning about all these industries is an important part of your learning. Our work is a combination of reducing harm through proactive risk assessments, resulting in businesses implementing effective controls to manage their risks and investigating serious incidents to prevent future harm.Our area covers a broad region, from Norsewood in southern Hawke's Bay to the top of the East Coast and across to Opotiki. Travel throughout the region is a key part of the role and you can expect some additional travel while completing your training outside of the region.About the role - O te turangaYou start your journey as a Trainee Health and Safety Inspector and will progress your way through a series of in-house training courses, on the job experience and coaching until you obtain a Certificate of Appointment giving you powers as an Inspector. As your career as an Inspector continues, you will continuously build your skills and knowledge to become a highly competent Inspector.As a Health and Safety Inspector, you can expect that no two days will be the same! Inspectors complete a range of mahi. This could be a site visit completing an assessment, compiling reports, or investigating an accident. The work is varied and interesting, but at times can be challenging due to the nature of the role as you may be exposed to traumatic events, files, photos and statements.You will enjoy being out and about, with driving being a regular part of the role. You will also be flexible and comfortable with overnight stays when the role requires you to travel within your region or further afield.You will love building rapport with stakeholders and have a natural ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds. The conversations may not always be easy, but you will remain calm under pressure and be able to appreciate the viewpoints and perspectives of others. You will assess all the information and risks to identify the best outcome. In doing so, you will work towards achieving a common goal of ensuring that all New Zealander's that go to work come home healthy and safe.What you will bring - Ko nga pukenga ouThe ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt when situations changeStrong communication and collaboration, with the ability to build relationshipsAbility to communicate in additional languages is highly regardedThe ability to use a range of methods to communicate, both written and verbalProven experience in problem-solvingCultural awareness and a willingness to build your understanding and skill in te reo and tikanga MaoriThe ability to plan and prioritise tasks effectively to achieve resultsBe a NZ/Australian citizen or NZ Permanent Resident/ResidentHave a full, clean driver licenceConfident in using various forms of technologyAble to work across locationsOnce you are experienced and are a qualified Inspector, you may be required to be on the on-call roster.With your food basket and my food basket the people will thriveNau te rourou, naku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.The full position description is available from the advert on our careers centre: WorkSafe New ZealandSalary range - Awhe utuAs part of our remuneration framework, the starting annual salary for this role is $84,956. Once you have satisfied the requirements and successfully completed the Inspector Foundation Development Programme and are appointed to Inspector I level, the annual salary is increased to $87,562. Note: KiwiSaver/SSRSS employer contribution is additional to/on top of your base salary.We offer a range of benefits including:Free life insurance for the duration of your employment$400 contribution towards setting up your home workstationDiscounts on health insurance and eye careFive weeks annual leave15 days sick leave andLearning and professional development opportunitiesA Reward and Recognition Framework that celebrates the impact our kaimahi make - your mahi mattersThere are a growing number of employee led networks to promote the goals and needs of our diverse communities, such as our Rainbow Network, Pacific Network, Wahine / Women's Network, and Tu Rangatira Maori Network.How to apply - Me pehea te tonoClick the apply link, complete the application form and submit a copy of your CV and cover letter.AI can be a helpful tool when preparing your application, but what matters most to us is you. Please ensure your CV, cover letter, and responses reflect your own skills, experiences, and perspective. We want to hear your real story - your passion, your personality, and what makes you unique. Don't let AI do all the talking - let it support you, not replace you.Applications close on 18 October 2026 - Ka kati nga tono 18 Oketopa 2026All key dates can be found here Join our health and safety inspectors | WorkSafe