Fishery Officer | Nelson

Job Description

Job title: Fishery Officer

Role type: Permanent, Full Time

Location: Nelson

Salary range: $74,251 to $87,365 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

The working life of a Fishery Officer is a varied and interesting enforcement role. On any given day you may find yourself patrolling the beaches and boat ramps, interacting with the public, inspecting recreational and/or commercial fishing vessels, preparing a file for prosecution, taking part in a surveillance operation, gathering intelligence on fisheries offending, and/or analysing fisheries information. Developing and maintaining relationships with tangata whenua and stakeholder groups who use the fisheries resource is also an important aspect of this role. We are looking for someone with a passion for our marine environment and ensuring it is sustainably utilised and protected for future generations. 

Our role is challenging and varied. Here's what we expect from our frontline staff:

• This is not an 8am-5pm office based role. We expect our staff to target risk and use their initiative to get out into the field, detect offending and take those responsible to task
• Work under the direction of your District Manager and with experience develop your own work plans and strategies dealing with the issues and priorities in our area
• Be responsible for the education, monitoring and inspection activities across the Fisheries sector
• Interpret and enforce all relevant fisheries legislation within the fisheries compliance environment
• Detect, investigate, and take action against breaches of Fisheries legislation
• Collate, interpret, and monitor fishing related information and electronic data
• Effectively communicate and develop professional working relationships at all levels of the community and fishing industry

If successfully shortlisted, you will need to attend our half-day Assessment Centre day to be held in Nelson on Thursday 21 May.

And if you're then shortlisted for a final Interview and the water-based assessment, you will need to attend in person, on Wednesday 27 May 2026.

The Fitness and Water-based competency requirements are detailed in the attached Position Description.

We anticipate the successful candidate to commence working for MPI in July 2026 with a training course starting on 17 August through to 02 October.  This includes a compulsory four-week residential based course in Wellington from 07 September to 02 October 2026.

Please consider your availability for these dates before applying.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

This team services the greater Nelson/West Coast area from D'Urville Island to Haast. The Nelson compliance team is made up of six Fishery Officers and an Analyst who report to a District Manager, they are assisted by support staff and a Regional Manager. The team is based at the Nelson MPI Office in Port Nelson.

We also have an active Honorary Fishery Officer network. This team comes from a variety of backgrounds and are people who enjoy time in the outdoors, on the water, engaging with people, and problem solving.

Altogether we are a driven and passionate team who work hard but like to have fun together and celebrate successes.

About You - Mōu

Fishery Officers will have an interest in the marine environment and some knowledge of how the New Zealand Fisheries framework system works. This is an opportunity to combine problem solving with sustainability. You may have studied some Marine Biology, enjoy fishing or diving, trace a special relationship to the moana through generations, have an operational background, have worked in enforcement, or maybe it's something else that inspires you to do this role.

You will:

• Be an achiever in both an individual and team context
• Be able to work unsociable hours (weekends and during the night) when required and in differing environments. This also includes being on call to respond to complaints from the public
• Be able to communicate with a range of people and cultures
• Be able to operate calmly and effectively in confrontational situations
• Have the appropriate level of physical fitness to successfully pass our fitness competency assessment (as detailed in the Position Description)
• Have the ability, when necessary, to travel away overnight (sometimes at short notice)
• Be available for domestic and international Fishery patrol deployments on Navy, Airforce, or other government assets
• Have analytical experience and an enquiring mind-set
• Have an understanding of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its importance in a NZ Fisheries context
• Have knowledge and an interest in the marine environment and the NZ Fisheries framework
• Be competent in the use of the Microsoft Office suite of programmes
• Have the passion, motivation and drive to succeed as a Fishery Officer

You must have a current full New Zealand driver licence (not temporary, learner, or restricted) 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 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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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 on Tuesday, 27 April 2026

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

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