Quarantine Officers and Detector Dog Handlers | Auckland MPI Centre

Job Description

Quarantine Officers and Detector Dog Handlers

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)

Starting salary: $70,130 per annum

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 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.

As a Dog Handler, you will work with a specially trained dog as part of a team helping to detect risk products.

We are recruiting now for our next cohort of Quarantine Officers and Detector Dog Handlers to start on 5 October 2026.

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 need to be physically fit as you will be standing and moving for long periods of time
• 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

Additionally, if you are applying for the Detector Dog Handler position, you will:

• Have knowledge of canine care and safety
• Complete a dog compatibility assessment
• Complete an agility and fitness test
• Complete Quarantine Officer training and then 8-10 weeks of dog handling training in Auckland

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 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***

***If you've expressed interest in the Detector Dog Handler position and are shortlisted, you will need to attend a dog handling assessment on either 12, 13, 14, or 17 August 2026***

***If successful in the application process, you must be able to attend the assessment centre on either 18, 19, or 20 August 2026 and if offered the position, you must be able to start on 5 October 2026.***

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.

Detector Dog Programme

Our Detector Dog Programme has dog teams based in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, & Queenstown. Dog Handlers are deployed at international airports, the International Mail Centre in Auckland, cruise ships and yachts, and some cargo pathways. We are part of the Biosecurity New Zealand business unit. We help 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

This roles require a New Zealand national security clearance. To be considered for this role, you must meet the eligibility criteria set out below.

CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance

• You must be a New Zealand citizen, or hold a New Zealand residence‑class visa (including permanent residence).
• You must have a minimum five (5)‑year background history that can be verified and assessed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine your suitability for a CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance.

Find out more about the national security vetting process here and access the eligibility self‑check tool here.

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 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. 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 Monday, 2 August.  

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

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

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