Investigator

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Auckland; On-site; NZD 117,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

A supportive working environment

Flexible working options

Competitive salary package

5 weeks annual leave

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi invites applications for a regulatory investigator to lead moderate to complex investigations into suspected non-compliance by driver licensing providers, testing officers, and instructors. You will identify risks and respond to issues affecting public trust and safety.

Working in Driver Services, you will gather and assess evidence, manage end-to-end investigative activities, and develop practical compliance responses within the Compliance Response Framework.

Qualifications

• Experience leading investigations into regulatory non-compliance.
• Ability to assess information from multiple sources and identify risks.
• Strong communication and collaboration with regulators and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of prosecution processes or regulatory actions advantageous.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end investigations into suspected non-compliance by driver licensing providers, testing officers, and instructors.
• Assess evidence, identify risks, and develop compliance responses within the Compliance Response Framework.
• Liaise with internal and external authorities to progress regulatory actions and enforcement where appropriate.
• Translate intelligence into actionable insights to drive investigative and regulatory actions.
• Conduct interviews and prepare investigation files to support enforcement or regulatory actions.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and regulatory partners.

Skills

Intelligence-led investigations

Evidence-based decisions

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory enforcement

Analytical thinking

Job description

• Lead complex investigations with confidence and integrity
• Turn intelligence into action by identifying risks and driving compliance responses
• Influence regulatory outcomes through sound decisions and strong partnerships
• Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington based

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Join a team committed to maintaining the integrity of New Zealand's driver licensing system. In this role, you'll lead moderate to complex investigations into suspected non-compliance by driver licensing providers, testing officers, and instructors, identifying risks and responding to issues that could impact public trust and safety.

Working in Driver Services, you'll gather and assess evidence, manage end-to-end investigative activities, and develop practical compliance responses. You'll progress matters through the Compliance Response Framework and support enforcement action where appropriate, helping deliver fair, consistent, and effective regulatory outcomes.

This is a key role where you’ll:

• Have experience operating in an intelligence-led environment, applying intelligence, information, insights, and evidence to support sound decision-making.
• You will be able to assess and interpret information from multiple sources, identify emerging risks and trends, and translate intelligence into actionable insights that drive investigative and regulatory actions.
• This role requires a proven ability to make evidence-based decisions, develop defensible recommendations, and support the delivery of intelligence-informed compliance and enforcement activities.
• Achieve proficiency in best-practice interviewing.
• Undertake end-to-end investigations in a manner and to a standard that will withstand judicial and public scrutiny.
• Liaise and work closely with other regulatory agencies as required.

You will find out more about the role here: Position Description.

We are seeking to appoint at a salary between $117,220 - $133,261 commensurate with skills and experience.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

Our ideal candidate will have some or all of the following:

• Experience working in an intelligence-led environment, using intelligence products, information, and data to inform operational and strategic decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to translate intelligence into actionable insight and apply evidence-based approaches to investigations, compliance, and regulatory activities.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess information from multiple sources, identify risks, trends, and emerging issues, and develop sound, defensible recommendations.
• Experience undertaking investigative activities, including desk-based enquiries, evidence gathering, and stakeholder or witness interviews.
• Ability to support intelligence collection, analysis, assessment, and information-sharing activities to achieve regulatory and operational outcomes.
• Proven experience managing end-to-end investigations or regulatory matters, applying sound judgement and evidence-based decision-making in complex environments.
• Experience preparing investigation files, briefs of evidence, and documentation to support enforcement, prosecution, or other regulatory actions.
• Knowledge of prosecution processes, evidential requirements, and working effectively with legal teams to progress regulatory matters would be advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, professional development, and organisational learning.

You will also demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to build understanding of Te Ao Māori, tikanga, and the

principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the public sector.

Ko wai mātou | About us

NZTA is responsible for delivering a safe, efficient and effective land transport system for Aotearoa.

Te Rōpū Waeture – Regulatory plays a critical role as the lead regulator for land transport – taking a system wide,

risk-based approach to improving safety outcomes and reducing harm. This includes designing and continuously

improving regulatory frameworks that are evidence based, proportionate, and responsive to the needs of the

sector.

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

We care about our people and invest in supporting our staff at NZTA. If you join us, you can expect:

• 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

Ready to take the next step in your career? We’d love to hear from you

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

22 October 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.