Investigations Manager

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Lead high-impact investigations into immigration fraud and related crime, shaping the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system.
• Drive strategic risk management and provide expert leadership across complex cases, systemic improvements, and cross-agency collaboration.
• Auckland based permanent opportunity
• Salary range: $118,390-$143,639 + KiwiSaver + Wellness Benefits

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

Immigration, Compliance and Investigation (ICI) part of MBIE, is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Investigations Manager to lead a team of investigators in the investigation of criminal offending. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for delivering specialist services that detect, prevent, and respond to immigration-related crime and risk.

You are a seasoned investigations leader with a strong background in criminal investigations, regulatory enforcement, and risk management. You bring a strategic mindset, operational excellence, and a passion for public service.

You will lead a team of investigators and specialists, ensuring that risk is managed at the earliest point in the immigration process, and that ICI’s investigative capability is aligned to both systemic and responsive needs. This role is central to maintaining the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system and supporting cross-agency efforts to combat immigration fraud.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the investigation and prosecution of immigration fraud cases and support partner agencies in related prosecutions.
• Provide expert advice on complex cases and risk management strategies across the immigration system.
• Ensure investigative capability is deployed effectively across New Zealand, supported by a centralised allocations and support function.
• Develop and implement strategies, work programmes, and performance targets.
• Monitor and adjust operations to respond to emerging risks and changing priorities.
• Lead, coach, and mentor a high-performing team of investigators and specialists.
• Establish clear accountabilities and performance expectations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key government and non-government stakeholders.
• Represent MBIE in cross-agency forums and strategic partnerships.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

• Extensive experience in complex criminal investigations and prosecutions.
• Strong understanding of investigative and regulatory techniques.
• Experience giving evidence in District and High Courts.
• Proven ability to lead and influence without formal authority.
• Demonstrated success in coaching and developing high-performing teams.
• Expertise in risk management and operational decision-making.
• Experience working across agencies and building strategic partnerships.
• A tertiary qualification in a relevant field or equivalent experience.

All applicants must possess New Zealand citizenship or hold an indefinite residence class visa.

Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahunga roa o ngā iwi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapa kua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:

Click here to view a position description. 

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Email Sarah Hutcheson at sarah.hutcheson@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19687 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Thursday 25 June 2026.