Quarantine Officer | Wellington City

Job Description

Quarantine Officer

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location:  Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington)

Starting salary: $68,755 per annum (this will increase to $70,130 effective 3 August)

About the Role – Kōrero mō te Tūranga

Our Quarantine Officers are highly trained, every-day New Zealanders doing an extraordinary job for their country. We work to  ensure that cargo and passengers entering New Zealand are free of biosecurity risk. Officers complete shift work on a rotational roster that offers them a breadth of work as they lead New Zealand's biosecurity system at the front line - international airports, ports, mail centres, and cargo facilities.

We are recruiting now for our next cohort of Quarantine Officers to start on 13 July 2026.

Wellington Quarantine Officers work varied shifts Monday to Sunday inclusive. Actual hours of work are specific to the roster and will include hours outside 6am to 6pm Monday to Sunday.

What the job offers – He aha te mahi e tuku

• A programme that mixes both classroom theory and on-the-job training.
• Clear career progression path from Officer to Senior to Chief for those prepared to put in extra effort with development and leadership opportunities to reach these goals.
• Join a high-performing team that is passionate about their job, compelled to protect New Zealand and living MPI's values.
• A great salary with benefits and allowances as you progress.
• The chance to join to diverse and supportive team of officers across New Zealand.

About You – Mōu

• We're looking for people with a real passion for protecting New Zealand's natural environment and primary industries, as well as aligning with our organisation's Treaty-grounded, strong cultural, and inclusive values.
• You will be a self-motivated individual who is has demonstrated experience working across a range of tasks, worksites and varied work.
• You enjoy working part of a large operational team and are someone that wants the team to be successful and actively steps in and helps when required without being asked.
• You will be fit and healthy as you will be standing for periods of time and be required to complete activities such as vessel inspections involving walking up gangways and steep internal stairways
• Working indoors and outdoors will appeal to you.
• You will have strong communication skills (oral and written) and the ability to create strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• You have a high level of computer literacy.
• An interest, experience or qualification in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, botany, or environmental science.
• You may have work experience in a life science or similar industry
• You must hold a full NZ driver license

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply (except holding a full NZ driver license and being a citizen/permanent resident). We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit. 

**Only New Zealand citizens or permanent residents for at least the 5 years can be considered for the position. If you are a New Zealand permanent resident, please upload a copy of your visa during the application process**

About the Team – Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Border Clearance Services Directorate within the Biosecurity New Zealand branch helps protect New Zealand's natural environment, primary industries and people against exotic pests and diseases. It is accountable for ensuring the delivery of sustainable and effective frontline biosecurity clearance services at the border for imported goods, craft, mail, passengers, crew and transitional facilities.

About MPI – Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're a large organisation with massive scope from the frontline to policy development and beyond.

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

• Annual Wellness payment.
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames.
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes.

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Confidential Security Clearance

• You must be a New Zealand citizen or Permanent Resident to be eligible to work as a Quarantine Officer and be able to obtain a Confidential security clearance
• Click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

***Only New Zealand Permanent Residents and Citizens can be considered for the position. If you are a New Zealand Permanent Resident, please upload a copy of your visa during the application process***

***You must also hold a full NZ driver license***

If you do not meet these requirements your application will not be considered.

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 whakapapa; 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 apply via this advert or visit the MPI Careers Site. 

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 24 May .  

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

***If successful in the application process, you must be able to attend the assessment centre on 5 June 2026 and if offered the position, you must be able to start on 13 July 2026***

The application process will take approximately 20 minutes - please ensure you have the following documents ready to attach:

• CV
• Cover letter (if not included in your CV)
• New Zealand full driver license
• New Zealand permanent resident visa (if applicable)

Follow MPI here – Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei

Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, LinkedIn, Twitter