Veterinary Technical Supervisor 1 (ME130) | Gisborne

Job Description

Job Title: Veterinary Technical Supervisor

Role type: Permanent, full time

Location: Gisborne

VTS Salary Range 6: $116,115– $145,143 depending on skills and experience

Starting salary will be dependent on skills and experience of the successful applicant.

In addition to salary, we offer overtime, penal time and shift allowances.

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

If you are you are a veterinary verifier looking for your next career move or an experienced clinical veterinarian looking for something new, we have an opportunity for a Supervising Veterinarian (VTS1) based at ME130 Ovation, Gisborne. 

MPI Verification Services (VS) provides a range of food safety and biosecurity verification and certification services to support market access strategies and setting standards.

We have an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys problem solving and enhancing their relationships with others with effective communication.

Ovation Gisborne is an ovine slaughter and boning operation which runs day and night shifts for most of the year from Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend work. The Verification team on site consists of three veterinarians who operate on day and night shifts.

Currently, the Supervising Veterinarian covers the middle shift 11.00am – 7.30pm Monday to Thursday and the early shit 6.00am – 14.30pm Fridays.

Every 1-2 months, the VTS1 will also cover a week of nightshifts 7.00pm – 3.30am.

Key responsibilities in this role include;

• Ensure that official assurances issued for export products are valid and withstand third party reviews through audit and verification.
• Responsibly manage the workload for the VS team, including;
• Recognising workloads and ensure that tasks are completed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ensure efficient use of resources and hours.
• Work successfully with & support the regional MPI team, as well as the wider MPI team such as the technical team and other external stakeholders such as farmers.
• Work with operator personnel of different levels from plant manager to frontline staff and will be able to tailor your communication with them effectively.
• Attend and facilitate internal, external and market access reviews. Demonstrate the process to these reviewers and facilitate, in conjunction with the operator and MPI, resolution of any review findings.

You will receive full-time technical training prior to being warranted under the relevant legislation. We have ongoing mentoring and technical support for you in your new role. 

About You  - Mōu

The successful candidate will:

• Be a New Zealand registered Veterinarian (Or be able to obtain registration with VCNZ)
• Hold a full New Zealand driver's licence (or be able to obtain a full NZ licence by converting a current overseas driver's licence)
• Have verbal and written skills, and analytical reasoning skills
• Demonstrate integrity and trust, ethics and values, resilience, adaptability, and openness
• Have experience persuading and influencing, teamwork, planning and organising
• Have computer literacy – can operate standard and customised software to an acceptable standard including word-processing, excel, internet, email
• It is advantageous if you have knowledge of HACCP/Quality Assurance in Food Safety however, this is included in your training.

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 role sits within the Establishment group of the Verification Services directorate. Reporting to the Team Manager Establishment, Hawkes Bay, this role is suitable for experienced veterinarians looking for the next steps in their career or experience veterinarians who are looking to put down roots in a rural town.

Ovation Gisborne is an ovine slaughter and boning operation which runs day and night shifts for most of the year from Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend work. The Verification team on site consists of three veterinarians who operate on day and night shifts.

Gisborne is on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, in the southern part of the Gisborne District and on the north side of Poverty Bay. The Poverty Bay flats encompass Gisborne city as well as surrounding areas Mākaraka, Matawhero and Ormond, where vineyards and farms predominate. Gisborne is flat towards the shoreline, but hilly and forested inland.

Gisborne boasts a large stretch of coastline encompassing the Waikanae and Midway, Kaiti, Sponge Bay, Wainui and Makorori white sand beaches, which are popular for swimming and surfing. Sometimes referred to as the 'City of Rivers', Gisborne sits at the convergence of the Waimata, Taruheru and Tūranganui rivers. The Tūranganui, only 1.2 kilometres long, is the shortest river in New Zealand.

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 sustainable provider of high-value food and primary products.

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

• Annual Wellness payment and reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation
• Professional membership reimbursement

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.

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 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 midnight on Wednesday 18^th March 2026.

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