Investigator/Senior Investigator | Christchurch

Job Description

Job Title: Investigator/Senior Investigator

Role Type: Permanent, Full Time

Location: Christchurch

Salary Range: COPS $82,741 - $110,911 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

As a multi-warranted Investigator within the Investigations and Compliance Support directorate you will plan, lead, and undertake criminal investigations and ensure that MPI effectively targets offences across all sectors. You are meticulous in all aspects of your investigation and file preparation. As we cover the entire South Island, there is irregular overnight travel required.

In this role, you will:

• Work in a strong team environment and collaborate with other investigators to prepare, and then present, robust prosecution cases.
• Conduct and lead complex investigations where offences are alleged, including interviews and evidence collection for the purpose of criminal prosecution.
• Deliver outcomes in accordance with the Compliance operating framework, and with the VADE compliance model.
• Work and learn a vast selection of different acts and regulations.
• Complete complex interviews and have an eye for detail.
• Work well with data and spreadsheets.
• Mostly you will enjoy the varied nature of the role.

Officer Safety Defensive Training will be provided which involves a physical requirement.

About You - Mōu

You may be a current investigator looking to broaden your scope within the Government regulatory area who has previously been a police officer, detective, work in compliance or in the legal space. This role will see you working with legislation across the primary sector making for a varied work and learning opportunity. You will bring your experience investigating complex prosecutions.

You will ideally have experience leading complex investigations, including the interpretation and application of relevant legislation, regulations, and legal requirements, and putting together 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.
• Experience reviewing large quantities of information and pull out the relevant and important elements to support a case.
• An inquisitive nature, with the ability to interview individuals, collect evidence, and deploy a range of modern investigative techniques.
• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to plan and prioritise your time effectively.
• Experience in Police Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB), or equivalent fraud investigative skills.
• Familiarity with search and surveillance legislation, criminal procedure, evidence law, and criminal disclosure.

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.

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 is composed of investigators, analysts, and coordinators, bringing together diverse professional backgrounds and expertise. Our team is made up of like-minded colleagues who are committed to helping each other and mentoring individuals from other business units. 

Our mandate covers a broad range of Acts and Regulations administered by MPI including, Food Safety, Biosecurity, Fisheries, Animal Welfare, Forestry and more. We accept referrals from other groups and co-regulators and assist officers and co-regulators with their investigations. Our workload is varied, as we investigate matters across many of the Acts MPI administers, so no day is ever the same.

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI

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 - Benefits of working at MPI

• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

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.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

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

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 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.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at 11.59pm 29 April 2025.

If you have any questions about the role, please email Sophie.Hallett@mpi.govt.nz 

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