Senior Compliance Officer

New Zealand Government; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 93,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive working environment

Flexible working options

5 weeks annual leave

Competitive salary package

Job summary

NZTA | Waka Kotahi in Christchurch is seeking a Senior Compliance Officer to lead audits, reviews and investigations to improve road safety and regulatory integrity. The role focuses on applying risk-based approaches and ensuring compliance across the transport sector.

You will build relationships with licence holders, mentor colleagues, and contribute to continuous improvement while travelling across Canterbury as required.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification or regulatory experience.
• Knowledge of Te Ao Māori and tikanga; Te Reo Māori fluency desired.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in public sector.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking proactive assessments of licensed commercial transport operators.
• Applying recognised risk assessment practices to investigation and auditing processes.
• Developing and managing effective relationships with transport service licence holders and key stakeholders.
• Share expertise and mentor others within the Compliance teams, contributing to continuous improvement.

Skills

Audits & reviews

Risk assessment

Stakeholder development

Mentoring

Training delivery

Education

Regulatory compliance experience

Job description

Opportunity

Strive to improve safety outcomes on our roads.

Continue to grow and develop your compliance skills and experience.

Permanent opportunity based in Christchurch.

Te Whiwhinga mahi.

We have an opportunity for a Senior Compliance Officer to join our team.

Our Compliance Teams are at the forefront of ensuring safe and lawful participation in New Zealand's land transport system. They deliver operational regulatory activities including audits, reviews, compliance monitoring, and investigations into breaches of legislation and regulatory requirements. By applying a risk-based approach and taking decisive action where safety standards are not met, the team helps protect the public, strengthen regulatory integrity, and ensure confidence in the transport system.

This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that has a direct impact on road safety and public trust.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking proactive assessments of licensed commercial transport operators
• Applying relevant recognised risk assessment practices to investigation and auditing process
• Developing and managing effective relationships with assigned transport service licence holders and relevant key stakeholders
• Share expertise and mentor others within the Compliance teams, contributing to continuous improvement, consistent practice, and lifting overall regulatory capability

Travel is a key part of this role and you will be regularly engaging with operators in the Canterbury operating area as and when required.

You must have a full driver licence, with no convictions.

Salary

We are seeking to appoint at a salary between $92,700 to $103,000 commensurate to skills and experience.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring :

• Experience in complex audit and review management within a regulatory or enforcement environment
• Proven ability to gather, analyse, verify, and weigh information and evidence to support sound decision'making in complex and high'risk cases
• Have experience in assessment (audit) planning, delivery and reporting
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to produce accurate, well'reasoned documentation and briefs of evidence capable of withstanding legal scrutiny
• Experience designing and delivering training, safety education, and sector engagement activities to build compliance capability and support improved safety outcomes
• The ability to build relationships and appreciate different points of view

Qualifications : Tertiary qualification or relevant experience in a regulatory compliance role Demonstrated knowledge of, or a willingness to learn an understanding of Te Ao Māori and tikanga as well as to work towards fluency in 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.

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.

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.

Additional Information

Applications close : 13 November 2026

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

NZTA| 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.