Investigator

About the organisation

The Environmental Protection Authority is Aotearoa New Zealand’s independent environmental regulator. Its purpose is to help safeguard the country’s environment, economy, and people by making evidence-based decisions informed by science and mātauranga. The organisation values bold thinking and aims to create lasting impact for future generations.

About the team

The Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement group plays a key role in protecting the environment and public health. The team supports organisations of all sizes in understanding and meeting environmental obligations through education, engagement, monitoring, investigation, and enforcement where required. Its work supports communities, the economy, and the environment, while helping the EPA focus its enforcement effort on the most significant issues.

About the role

The Investigator will lead and support regulatory investigations, enforcement activity, and decision-making for environmental legislation administered by the EPA. The role involves working across a broad range of matters, carrying out evidential interviews, and preparing prosecution files to a high professional standard. The position is based in the Wellington office and can include work-from-home arrangements, but it is not intended to be fully remote.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and assist with investigations into potential breaches of environmental law.
• Support enforcement action and regulatory decision-making.
• Conduct scene examinations and manage evidence collection, recording, and storage.
• Interview witnesses and carry out formal evidential interviews.
• Assess evidence to determine whether legislation has been breached.
• Prepare prosecution files in line with best-practice standards.
• Issue statutory notices, lay charges, and provide evidence in court where required.

About you

You are a self-motivated person who wants to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders. You should bring practical investigative experience, strong judgement, and the ability to work with evidence and witnesses in a regulatory environment. Experience in central or local government is preferred.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience leading investigations that result in enforcement action.
• Background in regulatory compliance and investigation, ideally in central or local government.
• Experience with scene examination, including evidence recording, collection, and management.
• Ability to work with witnesses and conduct evidential interviews.
• Experience evaluating evidence to identify non-compliance with legislation.
• Experience issuing statutory notices, laying charges, and giving evidence in court is an advantage.
• Relevant tertiary study in compliance, investigations, science, engineering, or environmental management, or equivalent regulatory experience in a related field.

What’s on offer

• Flexible working culture.
• Three extra paid leave days between Christmas and New Year, on top of four weeks of annual leave.
• A $400 non-taxable payment to support setting up a home workspace.
• An annual paid EPA Environment Day to support community environmental initiatives.
• Access to an in-house Māori cultural capability programme.
• Learning opportunities, including the annual EPA Symposium.
• An active social club plus diverse employee groups and support networks.
• EPA awards that recognise individual and team contributions.
• Relocation support for people moving to New Zealand from overseas.

Salary and application details

The salary band is NZD 87,702 to NZD 131,554 per year, with a midpoint of NZD 109,628. This represents the full range of the band, from 80% to 120%, and appointments are generally made at or below the midpoint depending on skills and experience.

To apply, candidates must complete the online application form and submit both a CV and a cover letter. The cover letter is an important part of the assessment process and should explain how your experience aligns with the role, why you applied, and information about your values and/or whakapapa.

Applications close at 5:00 pm on 25 June 2026. Applications may be reviewed as they are received, and the selection process may begin before the closing date.