Compliance Officer

Overview

MBIE is seeking multiple Compliance Officers to support Immigration Compliance & Investigations in Auckland and Manukau. This is an opportunity to contribute to public service outcomes by helping uphold New Zealand immigration law and responding to non-compliance and offending.

The position offers a salary between $85,537 and $101,911, plus KiwiSaver and wellness benefits.

About the role

Immigration Compliance & Investigations is part of Te Whakatairanga Service Delivery and is responsible for preventing and responding to immigration-related offending and breaches. The team develops and delivers products and services that help the organisation make sound decisions and identify risk as early as possible in the immigration process.

As a Compliance Officer, you will carry out regulatory work that supports compliance with New Zealand immigration law and policy. You will work in a multidisciplinary environment with colleagues and managers to achieve strong outcomes across compliance and criminal offending matters.

Your work will include a wide range of activities such as identifying people who have overstayed or breached visa conditions, and investigating or managing cases involving individuals and employers who have not complied with immigration legislation. A key focus of the role is migrant exploitation.

You will receive training and delegated powers that allow you to carry out duties involving entry, search, and detention. Some duties require outdoor work, so a good level of physical fitness is needed.

Responsibilities

• Promote compliance with New Zealand immigration laws and related policy.
• Respond to immigration offending and non-compliance cases.
• Locate and interdict people who have overstayed or breached visa conditions.
• Investigate individuals and employers who may have violated immigration legislation.
• Support case management across deportation, enforcement, and compliance activities.
• Use delegated powers, including entry, search, and detention, where required.
• Work collaboratively with team members and managers in a multidisciplinary setting.
• Handle matters involving migrant exploitation.
• Travel within New Zealand at short notice when required.

Requirements

• Strong investigative ability and the capacity to identify people liable for deportation.
• Excellent organisation, prioritisation, and multitasking skills.
• Sound judgement and decision-making in sensitive and high-risk situations.
• Experience handling sensitive matters and assessing risk.
• Knowledge of immigration law and policy is desirable.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, including in tense situations.
• Ability to manage several varied tasks efficiently and work to deadlines.
• Flexibility to travel at short notice within New Zealand.
• Experience applying legislation, policy, procedures, and guidelines in a government regulatory setting is preferred.
• Experience in investigations or enforcement/compliance work is preferred.
• Reasonable physical fitness for outdoor duties.
• Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or hold an indefinite residence class visa.

About MBIE

MBIE aims to build a resilient, high-performing economy that improves quality of life for all New Zealanders. The ministry works across business productivity, international competitiveness, job opportunities, and housing affordability.

Its values are:

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

MBIE also refers to its Māori identity, Hīkina Whakatutuki, meaning “lifting to make successful.” The organisation recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to strong, enduring partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups and organisations, and the Crown to support economic and social development across Aotearoa New Zealand.

How to apply

Applicants should submit a CV and a cover letter explaining why they are a strong match for the role. Applications must be completed through the organisation’s online recruitment process.

For questions, contact Sarah Hutcheson and mention reference MBIE/19690.

Applications close on Thursday 25 June 2026.

Additional information

Multiple vacancies are available in Auckland and Manukau. A position description is available for review. The role combines regulatory, investigative, and enforcement responsibilities in a varied team environment.