Senior Investigator (Special Programmes)

Job Title : Senior Investigator (Special Programmes)

Role Type : Permanent, full time preferred

Location : Auckland - all North Island main centres accepted

Salary Band & range : GSR D $100,934 to $112,314 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga

Join a skilled team conducting covert operations to disrupt serious offending against Aotearoa's primary industries.

Conduct short-term undercover operations and be a key part in MPI's CHIS programme.

This role suits someone adaptable, resilient, and confident working in dynamic, high-trust environments.

You thrive thinking on your feet.

Conduct covert operations targeting serious offending to :

• support MPI's confidential human intelligence programme
• work closely with trusted internal and external partners

Travel up to six days per month with flexibility around personal commitments.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a multi-day assessment centre in Wellington 1-2 November as part of the selection process.

About You - Mou

To be considered for this role you will need extensive experience cultivating and operating covert human intelligence source (CHIS) and preferably have experience as an undercover officer.

You will have :

You must have a current full New Zealand driver licence (not temporary, learner, or provisional) 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 the Team - Mo to matou Ropu

The Special Programmes Unit is part of the Compliance Investigations and Support Directorate which sits within Corporate Services.

We are made up of investigators, investigation analysts and investigation coordinators with diverse professional backgrounds and subject matter expertise.

The Compliance Investigations and Support Directorate is responsible for undertaking significant, complex, and novel investigations relating to Acts administered by MPI.

We are spread across Auckland, Petone and Christchurch.

About MPI - Mo te Manatu 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 - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua

Security checks - Nga Taki Whakahaumaru

Higher level Security Clearance

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Credit check - Tirotiro nama

Please note, given this position is identified as carrying financial risk, the preferred candidate(s) will be required to satisfactorily pass a credit check.

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamatau Whakapoauau 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?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.

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 Manatu 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 20 October 2025.

If you have any questions about the role, please email

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