Senior Investigator, Aml/Cft

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 101,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Internal Affairs in New Zealand seeks a Senior Investigator AML/CFT to lead investigations of significant breaches under the AML/CFT Act 2009. You will collaborate with intelligence, legal and regulatory partners to deliver enforcement outcomes, manage complex casework, and prepare matters for court where required.

This role also involves mentoring investigators, contributing to risk-based regulatory practice, and supporting capability development across the team.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading complex investigations or enforcement activity.
• Experience preparing regulatory, civil, or criminal cases.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• The ability to interpret and apply legislation in complex situations.
• Sound judgement, resilience, and a high level of integrity.
• Excellent written communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading complex regulatory investigations and enforcement activity.
• Managing significant and often sensitive casework from commencement through to resolution.
• Preparing matters for regulatory, civil, or criminal proceedings where required.
• Analysing intelligence, evidence, and financial information to support investigative decision-making.
• Providing mentoring, coaching, and guidance to investigators.
• Contributing to continuous improvement of investigative processes, methodologies, and practice standards.
• Supporting the development of a consistent, risk-based, intelligence-led investigative function.

Skills

Investigative leadership

Regulatory enforcement

Regulatory/Legal interpretation

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Job description

About the role

Join a team focused on tackling serious and complex non-compliance with New Zealand's AML/CFT regime. As a Senior Investigator AML/CFT, you’ll lead and deliver investigations into significant breaches of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009. You’ll work with intelligence, legal, and regulatory partners to achieve meaningful enforcement outcomes, manage complex casework, prepare matters for court, mentor other investigators, and contribute to a risk-based, intelligence-driven regulatory approach.

The role includes:

• Leading complex regulatory investigations and enforcement activity.
• Managing significant and often sensitive casework from commencement through to resolution.
• Preparing matters for regulatory, civil, or criminal proceedings where required.
• Analysing intelligence, evidence, and financial information to support investigative decision-making.
• Providing mentoring, coaching, and guidance to investigators.
• Contributing to continuous improvement of investigative processes, methodologies, and practice standards.
• Supporting the development of a consistent, risk-based, intelligence-led investigative function.

About you

We are looking for someone who combines strong investigative capability with a commitment to continuous improvement and team success. You may come from a regulatory, compliance, law enforcement, intelligence, financial crime, or similar environment and will bring:

• Significant experience leading complex investigations or enforcement activity.
• Experience preparing regulatory, civil, or criminal cases.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• The ability to interpret and apply legislation in complex situations.
• Sound judgement, resilience, and a high level of integrity.
• Excellent written communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A collaborative approach and willingness to support capability development across the team.

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be particularly valuable: regulatory investigations and enforcement; AML/CFT and financial crime; and forensic accounting and financial analysis.

Why join us?

At the Department of Internal Affairs, we strengthen connections and reduce harm for New Zealanders. This is an opportunity to work on high-impact investigations, contribute to the integrity of New Zealand's financial system, and be part of a collaborative team delivering real regulatory outcomes.

Applications and Eligibility

Applications for this role close 5pm Wednesday, 18 November 2026. The appointing range for this role is $100,989 - $125,675. Please also note that you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.