Fishery officer - Wellington | Wellington City

Job Description

Fishery Officer

Role type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Wellington

Salary range:  Combined Operations Pay Scale: $75,736 to $89,112 depending on skills and experience

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role

The working life of a Fishery Officer is 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. 

This role is challenging and varied, and this is 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
• Due to the diverse nature of the role, weekend work and work during the evenings  will be required.  
• 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
• Interpretate 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 the fishing industry

You do not need to meet all 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.

If successfully shortlisted, you will need to attend an all-day assessment centre in Wellington on Tuesday 3 November at 0730. As part of that assessment centre you will be asked to complete the fitness test. Fitness test requirements are detailed in the attached job description.  

Following the assessment centre, if shortlisted for a final interview, you will also need to be able to attend this in person, the following day.

Please consider your availability for the above dates before applying as we cannot change these or offer alternatives. We anticipate the successful candidates to early December 2026.

Will need to attend a residential training programme with dates yet to be confirmed but likely early 2027.

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team

The team works across the wider Region. This team is part of a larger district team which services the Wellington area.  The larger district team comprises of who report to a District Manager and assisted by support staff, and a Regional Manager.

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

We are a driven and passionate team who work hard but like to have fun together and celebrate success.

Mōu - About You

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 this role.

In this role, you will:

• Thrive both independently and as part of a supportive, high-performing team
• Be adaptable and ready to work across varied environments, including weekends or overnight when needed
• Respond to public enquiries and situations on call, playing a key role in maintaining trust and safety
• Communicate confidently and respectfully with people from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Stay calm and professional in challenging or confrontational situations
• Take opportunities to travel, including occasional overnight stays—sometimes at short notice
• Contribute to domestic and international fisheries patrols alongside Navy, Airforce, and other government partners
• Use your analytical skills and curiosity to investigate, problem-solve, and make sound decisions
• Apply your understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, recognising its importance in the fisheries context
• Bring your interest in the marine environment and fisheries management into meaningful, real-world work
• Use tools like Microsoft Office to support your day-to-day work effectively
• Show motivation, initiative, and a genuine passion for protecting New Zealand's fisheries

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is responsible for ‘Growing and Protecting New Zealand'. It's no mean feat, and we have a team of hard working and passionate people in a variety of roles both on the ground and in the office supporting us to make this happen.

MPI has a focus on career pathways and we will work with you to help you grow

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

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• We have a comprehensive role specific training programme this is delivered online and has a 3-week residential portion. Training continues throughout the role

Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru - Security checks

Secret Security Clearance

• most preferably a NZ citizen who has resided continuously in NZ 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, NZ, 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.

Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro - Drug and Alcohol Screening

As 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 under the application process, on pre-employment checks page.

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whanau 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 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 Sunday 25 October

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

Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei – Follow MPI here

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