Regulatory Compliance Officer

Hawke's Bay District Council; Hawke's Bay; On-site; NZD 76,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

5 weeks annual leave after 3 years

4% superannuation after 3 years

Life insurance and income protection

Subsidised eye tests and lenses

Job summary

Hawke’s Bay District Council – Napier City, North Island, seeks a Regulatory Compliance Officer for a full-time, permanent role based in Napier. You will lead investigations, assess evidence, and promote compliance with environmental laws while coordinating with legal counsel and internal teams.

Ideal candidates will have a tertiary degree in Science, Law or Environmental Resource Management and strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Law or Environmental Resource Management, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in enforcement, investigations and applying legislation within government or law enforcement.
• Ability to interpret environmental laws and manage compliance processes effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex compliance and enforcement investigations and prepare case files for regulatory action.
• Respond to pollution events and oversee after-hours response as required.
• Engage with individuals, businesses and stakeholders to promote compliance with environmental legislation.
• Support regulatory decision-making and work with legal counsel and internal specialists.

Skills

Regulatory compliance experience

Investigation & enforcement

Analytical skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Tertiary degree in Science/Law/Environmental Resource Management

Job description

Hawke's Bay District Council – Napier City, North Island

$75,650 - $89,000 a year

Full time, Permanent

Our vision is a healthy environment and a resilient and prosperous community.

About The opportunity | Ko te āheinga:

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council are looking for a Regulatory Compliance Officer to join our Policy & Regulation Group. This is a full time, permanent opportunity based in Napier.

As Regulatory Compliance Officer, you will play a key role in protecting the Hawke’s Bay environment through responding to pollution events, investigating non-compliance and ensuring appropriate regulatory and enforcement actions are taken. You will lead complex compliance and enforcement investigations, determine appropriate responses, and prepare case files to support regulatory and legal action where required. This position requires strong analytical skills, sound judgement, and the ability to navigate complex compliance matters while delivering effective environmental outcomes.

In this role, you will gather and assess evidence, manage investigations from initial response through to resolution, and work closely with legal counsel and internal specialists to support enforcement activities. You will engage with individuals, businesses and stakeholders to promote compliance with environmental legislation, contribute to regulatory decision-making, and participate in an after-hours pollution response roster to ensure timely responses to urgent incidents.

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

You will have a strong background in regulatory compliance and enforcement, ideally within government or law enforcement, along with analytical and investigative skills to assess complex situations. A solid understanding of environmental legislation and compliance processes is essential, as well as the ability to apply enforcement measures professionally and effectively. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication skills, be proactive in conflict resolution, and work collaboratively in a team setting.

Key Requirements:

• Relevant tertiary degree in Science, Law, Environmental Resource Management or equivalent experience.
• Experience in enforcement, investigations, and applying legislation within government or law enforcement.
• Strong ability to assess complex cases, interpret environmental laws, and manage compliance processes effectively.
• Professional approach to enforcement, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to engage with stakeholders to uphold regulations.
• A valid driver’s licence is required.

The salary range for this role is between $75,650 and $89,000 and will depend on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

Other benefits of working for our team include:

• Flexible working options to support work/life balance
• 5 weeks annual leave after 3 years
• 4% superannuation after 3 years
• Life insurance and income protection
• Subsidised eye tests and lenses, flu vaccinations, and other well-being initiatives
• Strong commitment to developing and upskilling people within a supportive working environment.

See a full list of our staff benefits here

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognise that collaborative and innovative organisations depend on having a workforce made up from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. We're all about excellence, and we encourage open communication – if you need any specific support, just let us know! Our main goal is to empower each person to share their unique talents to contribute to the outcomes for our community. This commitment ensures that our workplace is a dynamic and progressive space where everyone can flourish.

HBRC is responsible for Civil Defence emergencies and as such, all staff may be called upon to support the response.

We focus on prioritising:

Kia koi, kia toitū hoki te whakamahinga o te whenua|Climate-smart and sustainable land use.

Applications close Thursday, 8 October 2026.

Applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand.