Senior Investigator (Special Programmes)

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI); Wellington; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 3 additional MPI leave days

Ability to purchase extra annual leave

Bi-annual eye test and lens/frame cost

Job summary

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in Wellington seeks a Senior Investigator (Special Programmes) to join a dedicated team conducting covert operations targeting serious offending against New Zealand's primary industries. The role involves acting as an undercover officer or operator (controller) in short‑term operations and contributing to MPI’s CHIS programme.

This position requires resilience, initiative, and self‑motivation.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience cultivating and operating CHIS.
• Experience as undercover officer or operator preferred.
• Investigator experience including interviews, case file management, and exhibit handling.

Responsibilities

• Conduct covert operations targeting serious offending against New Zealand's primary industries.
• Undercover officer/operator in short‑term operations and CHIS programme responsibilities.
• Travel up to six days per month as required for role.

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Investigator (Special Programmes)

Role Type: Permanent, Full Time

Location: Wellington (please enquire regarding other main centres)

Salary Band: COPS SI8-SI10 – $110,068 to $115,392 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

You will join an experienced team conducting covert operations targeting serious offending against New Zealand's primary industries.

You will be involved as an undercover officer or operator (controller) in short-term operations and will also be a key part in MPI's CHIS programme.

This is a challenging position requiring resilience, initiative, and self-motivation.

Short‑listed candidates may be required to attend a multi‑day assessment centre in Wellington as part of the selection process.

Note there is travel required for this role up to six days per month. Note these dates can be flexible around personal life arrangements.

About You - Mōu

To be considered for this role you will need extensive experience cultivating and operating CHIS

and preferably have experience as an undercover officer or operator.

You will have extensive experience as an investigator, including conducting interviews, case file management, and exhibit handling.

You will have excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgement and integrity, and high standards of work performance.

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

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Special Programmes Unit is part of the Compliance Investigations and Support Directorate which sits within Corporate Services, and is made up of investigators, investigations analysts and investigations coordinators with diverse professional backgrounds and subject matter expertise.

The Compliance Investigations and Support Directorate is responsible for undertaking significant, complex, and novel investigations relating to Acts administered by MPI. We have staff spread across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

About MPI - Mō Te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

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

• Up to 3 additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Higher level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last ten (10) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last ten (10) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK or the USA; and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZSIS towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at a higher level.

We will not be able to accept your application if you do not meet these minimum criteria.

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.

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, here.

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, whānau 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 Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

You must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it.

Applications close at 11.59pm Thursday 19 November 2026