Senior Investigator

Ministry for Primary Industries; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 86,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional MPI leave days

Ability to purchase extra annual leave

Annual Wellness payment

Job summary

Ministry for Primary Industries is seeking a Senior Investigator to lead multi-jurisdictional criminal investigations in Christchurch (Burnside). You will plan, conduct and oversee investigations and file preparation to support robust prosecutions across sectors.

You will collaborate with fellow investigators, interview subjects, gather evidence, and apply modern investigative techniques while upholding privacy laws, ethics, and MPI's Code of Conduct. A NZ driver licence is required.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, across a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to digest large amounts of information and extract relevant elements for investigations.
• Interview individuals, collect evidence, and deploy modern investigative techniques.
• Prepare Production Orders and Search Warrants, and plan subsequent field work.
• Strong time management to plan and prioritise effectively.
• Experience in regulatory law enforcement or fraud investigations.
• Familiarity with privacy principles and criminal procedure.

Responsibilities

• Plan, lead, and undertake criminal investigations and file preparation for prosecution.
• Collaborate with investigators to prepare and present robust prosecution cases.
• Conduct interviews and evidence collection for criminal prosecution.
• Deliver outcomes in line with the VADE framework and MPI Code of Conduct.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Communication

Interviewing

Analytical thinking

Time management

Ethics & confidentiality

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Investigator

Role Type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Christchurch (Burnside)

Salary band & range: Combined Operations Pay Scale Salary Range:$86,084 - $115,392 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

As a multi-warranted Investigator, you will plan, lead, and undertake criminal investigations and ensure that MPI effectively targets offences across all sectors. You will be meticulous in all aspects of your investigation and file preparation.

In this role, you would have the opportunity to:

• Work in a strong team environment and collaborate with other investigators to prepare, and then present, robust prosecution cases
• Perform investigative actions where offences are alleged, including interviews and evidence collection for the purpose of criminal prosecution
• Deliver outcomes in accordance with the operating framework, and with the VADE compliance model
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Maintain a strict sense of professional ethics, maintain confidentiality and privacy, and abide by MPI's Code of Conduct

About You - Mōu

In this role you'll ideally have experience leading complex investigations, including the interpretation and application of relevant legislation, regulations and legal requirements, and construction of investigation files.

We are seeking an applicant with:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate broadly across a range of stakeholders
• The ability to digest large amounts of information and pull out the relevant and important elements to support your investigation
• An inquisitive nature, with the ability to interview individuals, collect evidence, and deploy a range of modern investigative techniques
• Prepare Production Orders and Search Warrants, and prepare/conduct any subsequent operational field work
• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to plan and prioritise your time effectively
• Experience in regulatory law enforcement agencies, Police Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB), or equivalent fraud investigative skills
• Familiarity with privacy principles and legislation relating to search and surveillance, criminal procedure, evidence, and criminal disclosure.

You must have a current full New Zealand driver licence (not temporary, learner, or restricted) or equivalent full foreign drivers licence, and any endorsements required for the type of driving you'll be doing.

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Investigations team sits within the Investigations and Compliance Support directorate. The Investigations South team, based in Christchurch is made up of investigators and investigations analysts with diverse professional backgrounds and subject matter expertise.

Our team's mandate spans a broad range of Acts that MPI administer. We take responsibility for Acts without a dedicated compliance group, and we accept referrals from other groups and co-regulators. We also assist officers and co-regulators with their investigations. We have a varied workload as we investigate matters across many of the Acts MPI administer.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're a large organisation with massive scope from the frontline to policy development and beyond.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Annual Wellness payment

Security checks – Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

This role require a New Zealand national security clearance. To be considered for this role, you must meet the eligibility criteria set out below.

SECRET / TOP SECRET national security clearance

• You must be a New Zealand citizen, or hold a New Zealand residence‑class visa (including permanent residence).
• You must have a minimum ten (10)‑year background history that can be verified and assessed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine your suitability for a SECRET or TOP SECRET national security clearance (as applicable).

Find out more about the national security vetting process here and access the eligibility self‑check tool here.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred candidates(s) for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre‑employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, .

Credit check - Tirotiro nama

Please note, given this position is identified as carrying financial risk, the preferred candidate(s) will be required to satisfactorily pass a credit check.

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whanau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your whakapapa; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

Applications close at 11.59pm on 20th October 2026.

If you have any questions about the role, please email

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