Regional Manager - Vehicle Compliance

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 134,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks annual leave

Life insurance

Income protection

Critical illness insurance

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is seeking a Regional Manager Vehicle Compliance in Wellington or Palmerston North. The role provides strategic and operational leadership of regional vehicle compliance, guiding a multidisciplinary team to deliver fair, defensible regulatory outcomes and intelligence-led risk management across the land transport system.

You will balance education, engagement and enforcement, shaping national compliance priorities while maintaining public confidence in NZTA’s

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within a regulatory, compliance, enforcement, or complex public sector environment.
• Proven success leading and developing high-performing teams, including managers and senior regulatory practitioners.
• Significant experience contributing to a Senior Leadership team to support strategic direction, delivery and consistency across Vehicle Regulation.
• Extensive experience applying legislation, regulatory frameworks, and risk-based approaches to complex decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels across industry, government and iwi.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of regulatory professionals delivering safer outcomes for New Zealanders.
• Influence complex, high-profile compliance decisions and regulatory interventions.
• Build trusted relationships across industry, iwi, local government and partner agencies.
• Oversight of complex regulatory decisions and drive consistent, fair and defensible regulatory practice.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory risk management

Regulatory decision-making

Education

Tertiary qualification

Job description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

The Regional Manager Vehicle Compliance is a critical leadership role within Te Rōpū Waeture Regulatory Services. They are responsible for leading regional vehicle compliance operations and delivering effective regulatory outcomes across the land transport system. The role provides both strategic and operational leadership, ensuring compliance activity is intelligence led, risk based, and aligned with national regulatory frameworks.

• Lead a team of regulatory professionals delivering safer outcomes for New Zealanders
• Influence complex, high-profile compliance decisions and regulatory interventions
• Build trusted relationships across industry, iwi, local government and partner agencies
• Permanent opportunity based in Wellington or Palmerston North

As a senior leader, you'll guide a multidisciplinary team, oversee complex regulatory decisions, and drive consistent, fair and defensible regulatory practice.

You'll balance education, engagement and enforcement approaches to support willing compliance while maintaining public confidence in New Zealand's transport system.

Success in this role requires strong judgement, leadership and relationship management skills. You'll work closely with industry representatives, iwi, partner agencies and local government, representing NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) as a credible and influential regulator while helping shape national compliance priorities and responses to emerging risks.

Travel will be required in the role from time to time.

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

We are seeking to appoint at a salary between $134,000 - $163,000 commensurate with skills and experience.

Ō Pūmanawa | What we're looking for

• Significant senior leadership experience within a regulatory, compliance, enforcement, or complex public sector environment.
• Proven success leading and developing high-performing teams, including managers and senior regulatory practitioners.
• Significant experience contributing to a Senior Leadership team to support strategic direction, delivery and consistency across Vehicle Regulation.
• Extensive experience applying legislation, regulatory frameworks, and risk-based approaches to complex decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility and influence at senior levels across industry, government and iwi.
• Experience identifying and managing operational and regulatory risk, using evidence and intelligence to inform decisions.
• A track record of leading through change, embedding new ways of working, and driving continuous improvement.
• Strong financial and operational management experience, including budget oversight and resource prioritisation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to navigate challenging situations, provide authoritative advice, and achieve positive outcomes.
• Relevant tertiary qualification and/or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to develop an understanding of, Te Ao Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and their application within the public sector.

Mō mātou | About Us

At NZTA, our purpose is simple: transport networks that deliver for people, places and New Zealand. As Aotearoa's land transport regulator, we play a vital role in keeping our transport system safe, efficient and operating in the public interest. Within Regulatory Services, we take a firm and fair approach to regulation, applying good regulatory practice while working collaboratively with communities, industries and partners to improve safety outcomes.

He aha te take e uru ai koe ki a mātou? | So, why join us?

Our people are proud to be part of creating a better New Zealand. We're searching for candidates who share our passion for people, communities, and the environment and who are ready to contribute their unique skills to shape a better future.

At NZTA, you'll be part of an organisation where the different backgrounds, perspectives and life experiences of our people are celebrated. We want you to feel like you belong here, valued, respected, and empowered to bring your whole self to work.

From five weeks annual leave through to Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance for our permanent employees, you will be well looked after here. Our benefits are designed to support our people and provide a happy, healthy and high-performing environment. We take a principle-based approach to flexibility and offer a range of development opportunities to help you build a varied and rewarding career.

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.

Applications close

4 October 2026