Principal Compliance Officer | Christchurch

Job Description

Principal Compliance Officer- Animal Welfare and NAIT Compliance

Role type: Permanent, Full time

Location: 1 x North Island 1 x South Island

Salary band & range: General Salary Range D - $100,934 to $118,005 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

The Compliance & Response Directorate within Agricultural and Investment Services is recruiting for two Principal Compliance Officers within Animal Welfare and NAIT Compliance.

This is a new and exciting role with an emphasis on driving directorate wide excellence.

This role will cover the full scope of the Compliance and Response portfolio, from NAIT compliance to Animal Welfare compliance inspecting fish farms, to zoos and livestock, and everything in between.

About You - Mōu

This is a highly regarded, influential role where you will be seen as operating to the gold standard of Animal Welfare and NAIT compliance practices. You will be an established compliance expert who comes highly regarded within your field of work. Not only will you be an existing expert, but your infectious energy and passion will empower others to excel.

You will thrive leading complex, large scale and unique investigations, be comfortable with the New Zealand court process and preparing meticulous investigation files. This is supported by your excellent attention to detail and analytical skills that enable you to look at the big picture, not just information in front of you.

Out on the job, you're not afraid to roll your sleeves up and get your boots dirty. You'll know the farming calendar, animal husbandry practices, traceability obligations and be at home engaging with farmers and key stakeholders.

Ideally you will have experience mentoring and championing high performing operational teams and be able to demonstrate these examples at interview.

This role is not for the faint hearted and requires someone who thrives on thinking on their feet, working in ambiguous environments and getting to the root of a problem quickly. With big picture thinking and strategic clarity, you spot opportunities for improvement and communicate challenging ideas with confidence and impact.

We are looking for a candidate with flair and mana that is a natural leader via knowledge, influence and NZ court room experience. 

Are you up for the challenge?

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 Animal Welfare and NAIT Compliance group sit within Agriculture & Investment Services. This role will report to a Regional Manager who is based in Christchurch (South Island role) or Tauranga (North Island role).

Whilst you do not need to be based in the same MPI office as your manager, both roles will be expected to be based near an airport and within commuting distance of an MPI office.

This is an important leadership position that will need to provide a collaborative environment to support and develop animal welfare and NAIT field staff with a range of backgrounds. This is a national position and as such, travel within both the wider region and nationally will be an integral requirement of this role- often at short notice.

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-checktool.

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, here.

About MPI - 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 trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here.

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

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.

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” 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 on Sunday 2 November 2025. 

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

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