Investigator

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Investigate serious Immigration Act offending, including complex criminal investigations, immigration-related non-compliance, and migrant exploitation.
• Two permanent positions available based in Manukau.
• Salary range: $85,537 - $101,911 plus KiwiSaver and wellness benefits.

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

Immigration Compliance and Investigations has two permanent opportunities for experienced Investigators to join our Investigation Team in Manukau.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment during a period of growth and transformation. You will play a key role in protecting the integrity of New Zealand's immigration system by investigating serious Immigration Act offending and supporting regulatory compliance outcomes.

As part of a highly capable team, you will contribute to intelligence-led investigations, apply sound investigative practices, and help deliver evidence-based enforcement outcomes.

The team sits within Te Whakatairanga Service Delivery for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and are tasked with preventing and responding to immigration related offending and non-compliance.

What We Offer

• A welcoming and supportive team environment.
• Exposure to a diverse range of immigration investigations, including migrant exploitation and organised immigration offending.
• Opportunities to further develop your investigative and regulatory expertise.
• The chance to make a meaningful contribution to New Zealand's immigration system.
• Career development opportunities within MBIE's wider regulatory and enforcement community.
• Access to MBIE's employee benefits, including KiwiSaver and wellness initiatives.

To be considered for this role, you must be a New Zealand citizen or hold New Zealand permanent residency.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience Required

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Proven criminal investigation experience, including planning and leading complex investigations.
• Experience preparing and managing prosecution files to a high evidential standard.
• Strong court presentation skills, including giving evidence professionally and objectively.
• Experience managing witnesses and preparing exhibits for court proceedings.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of contemporary investigative techniques, including digital and computer-based investigation methods.
• Strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.
• Able to apply relevant New Zealand legislation to criminal investigations and prosecutions, including:
  o    Immigration Act
  o    Crimes Act
  o    Criminal Procedure Act
  o    Evidence Act
  o    New Zealand Bill of Rights Act

About MBIE - Ētahi kōrero mō 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.

How to Apply - Me pēhea te tono:

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/19862 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Wednesday 11 November 2026.