Team Manager Investigations
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Auckland, New Zealand · Full Time
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- Experience
- Any
- Salary
- NZD 121,764 – NZD 131,438 / year
- Openings
- 1
- Posted
- 4 days ago
- Work mode
- In office
- Eligibility
- Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents eligible for a SECRET or TOP SECRET national security clearance and hold the right to work in New Zealand.
- Resume
- Required to apply
Where you'll work
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Job description
About the Role
The Team Manager Investigations position is a permanent, full-time role based in Auckland with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). This leadership role involves managing a team that conducts complex regulatory investigations across multiple legislative areas such as animal welfare, biosecurity, fisheries, food safety, and forestry. Operating within a dynamic regulatory landscape with shifting priorities, you will guide investigators and analysts through challenging, high-profile cases to ensure investigations comply with evidential, disclosure, and prosecution standards.
Responsibilities include overseeing investigations from start to prosecution, providing coaching and support to team members, managing risks and escalations, making informed case-direction decisions, supervising workload distribution, and ensuring support systems are effective for producing high-quality outcomes. While mostly office-based, the role also requires participating in field operations, such as conducting search warrants, interviews, investigations, and on-site coaching. Collaborating closely with internal MPI staff and external agencies is essential, often translating complex legal and technical details for varied audiences.
Responsibilities
- Oversee and lead complex regulatory investigations
- Provide coaching and development opportunities for investigators and analysts
- Enhance team performance and grow team capabilities
- Make informed decisions regarding case direction
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders
- Manage caseloads, risk factors, and escalation processes
- Contribute to operational field activities as needed
- Cultivate a culture that promotes high team performance
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will have extensive leadership experience in criminal or regulatory investigations, with a deep understanding of investigative procedures from case commencement through prosecution. Confidence in legislation interpretation and application is required, alongside the ability to exercise sound judgement under pressure. While regulatory experience is preferred, applicants from related investigative backgrounds will be considered.
You should demonstrate strong leadership qualities including coaching, mentoring, and communication skills to build credibility and clearly convey complex information. Resilience, adaptability, and dedication to excellence are critical.
Key Requirements
- Proven leadership in criminal or regulatory investigations
- Thorough knowledge of investigation and prosecution processes
- Demonstrated coaching and mentoring abilities
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Expertise in interpreting and applying laws and regulations
- Experience preparing comprehensive investigative files
- Strong interviewing, evidence collection, and analytical capabilities
- Knowledge of evidence, disclosure obligations, and criminal jurisprudence
- Sound judgement in handling complex, high-profile cases
- Formal investigation training or specialized investigative experience
Applicants must hold a current, full New Zealand driver's license (not provisional or learner), or equivalent full foreign license with necessary endorsements.
Additional Information
Occasional travel is necessary, sometimes at short notice, including outside normal hours with TOIL arrangements and occasional overnight stays. The role requires passing security clearance at SECRET/TOP SECRET level (New Zealand citizenship or resident visa required, plus a verifiable 10-year background), credit checks due to financial risk, and drug/alcohol screening given safety sensitivities.
About the Team
The Investigations team within MPI’s Investigations and Compliance Support unit handles investigative services across diverse legislation that lack specific compliance units. They collaborate with other business groups and co-regulators, bringing together a mix of enforcement, analytical, and technical skills to address complex regulatory matters. The team culture values collaboration, continual learning, and delivering quality outcomes.
About MPI
The Ministry for Primary Industries partners with New Zealand’s food and fibre sectors to become the trusted global provider of premium products, supporting a sustainable and successful industry.
Benefits
- Extra MPI annual leave days
- Option to purchase additional vacation leave
- Annual wellness payment
Eligibility
You must be eligible to work in New Zealand. MPI is committed to diversity, inclusion, and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
Application Details
Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 11 October 2026.