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CGR Services seeks a New Zealand-registered Veterinarian (or eligible for VCNZ) to join the meat safety and export verification team in Hastings/Napier, Hawke's Bay. The role involves mandatory ante mortem inspections and on-site verification at meat plants.
You will collaborate with vets and plant staff, ensure procedures are followed, certify exports, and promote animal welfare with ongoing training and mentoring provided.
Role type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Hastings/Napier | Hawkes Bay
VTS Salary Range 9: $101,627 to $127,033 depending on skills and experience. In addition to salary, we offer overtime, penal time and shift allowances.
Kōrero mō te Tūranga The purpose of this role within New Zealand Food Safety Verification Services is to provide a range of food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity verification and certification services based at meat exporting plants. To support the meat industry and New Zealand's reputation in the world red meat market for the product produced and to ensure food safety and export standards are being followed by the plant. We have an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys problem solving and enhancing their relationships with others with effective communication. The role is varied, and you will be expected to do the following:
You will receive full-time technical training prior to being warranted under the relevant legislation. We have ongoing, on-site training, mentoring and technical support for you in your new role.
Mōu The successful candidate will:
It is advantageous if you have knowledge of HACCP/Quality Assurance in Food Safety however, this is included in your training.
Mō tō mātou Rōpū The role sits within the Establishment group of the Verification Services directorate. MPI Verification Services (MPI VS) provides a range of food safety and biosecurity verification and certification services to support market access strategies and setting standards. Reporting to the Team Manager Establishment Hawkes Bay, this role is suitable to an entry level veterinarian looking for a career change. The Hawkes Bay Establishments team covers a geographic area between Takapau and Gisborne, and includes six processing plants and 14 veterinarians, either based onsite or working as relievers. You will work closely with other Team Managers nation-wide as well as with your team members to deliver programmes and provide peer support and professional development.
Hawke's Bay is a region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island and is best known for its beaches and wineries. Locals and visitors alike love getting outdoors in Hawke's Bay. Whether it be a walk-up Te Mata Peak, an adrenaline-filled rafting trip down the Mohaka River, or perhaps a lazy day at Waimarama Beach, the diversity of our outdoor experiences means there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Once trained you will assist in providing verification to the meat processing premises in the team or further afield as well as eventually contributing to the team's on-farm verification tally. You will be expected to apply for permanent veterinary technical supervisor (VTS) roles once trained and when these become available. Generally, meat processing premises run day and night shift for the summer peak season and at some plants, night shift extends through to the winter also. You will rostered onto shifts to be agreed locally with VTS colleagues. Any overtime is compensated and early starts, or late finishes are recognised with penal time payments, as well as shift leave accumulation.
Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most sustainable provider of high-value food and primary products.
Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua
Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/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.
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 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 Thursday 1st October 2026
If you have any questions about the role, please email George.Mitrakas@mpi.govt.nz