Quarantine Officer

Role overview

This is a permanent, full-time Quarantine Officer position based in Queenstown. The starting salary is $68,755. The role sits within Biosecurity New Zealand and focuses on protecting New Zealand from biosecurity threats by checking cargo and passengers at the border.

Quarantine Officers are frontline biosecurity staff who work across international airports, ports, mail centres, cargo facilities, and other border environments. The position is rotational and involves varied shifts across the week.

Work schedule and start date

Queenstown Quarantine Officers work Monday through Sunday on a rotating roster. Working hours vary depending on the roster and may fall outside 6:00am to 6:00pm any day of the week. The intended start date for this intake is 14 September 2026.

What the role includes

• Combining classroom-based learning with practical, on-the-job training.
• Growing through a defined career pathway, with opportunities to progress from Officer to Senior and then Chief for those who pursue development and leadership.
• Working in a high-performing team committed to protecting New Zealand and living the organisation’s values.
• Receiving a competitive salary together with benefits and allowances as your career advances.
• Joining a varied and supportive network of officers across the country.

About the team

The Border Clearance Services directorate in Biosecurity New Zealand is responsible for protecting the country’s natural environment, primary industries, and people from exotic pests and diseases. It delivers effective and sustainable frontline biosecurity clearance services at the border for imported goods, craft, mail, passengers, crew, and transitional facilities.

About the organisation

The Ministry for Primary Industries is a large public sector organisation with responsibilities spanning frontline operations through to policy and beyond.

Candidate profile

We are looking for someone who is motivated by the protection of New Zealand’s natural environment and primary industries, and who connects with Treaty-grounded, culturally strong, and inclusive values. You should be comfortable working in a varied operational environment and be willing to contribute actively to a team.

The role suits a person who is fit and healthy, as it involves standing for periods of time and working both indoors and outdoors. Strong verbal and written communication skills are important, along with the ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Good computer skills are also required.

An interest, background, or qualification in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, botany, or environmental science would be an advantage, and experience in life sciences or a similar field may also be relevant.

Eligibility and security requirements

Applications can only be considered from New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. If you are a permanent resident, you will need to upload a copy of your visa during the application process.

This role requires a CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance. To be eligible, you must be a New Zealand citizen or hold a New Zealand residence-class visa, including permanent residence, and have at least five years of background history that can be verified and assessed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service.

If you do not meet these minimum security criteria, your application cannot be accepted.

This is a safety-sensitive role, so the preferred candidate will need to complete pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.

Application and hiring process

Applicants do not need to meet every requirement to apply, apart from holding a full New Zealand driver licence and being a citizen or permanent resident. The organisation encourages applications from people who believe they could be a strong fit and will support learning and development.

As part of your cover letter, you should share information about yourself, your values, your whakapapa, your motivation for the role, and the strengths, abilities, and perspectives you would bring, including experience gained outside paid work.

If successful, you must be able to attend an Assessment Centre on Monday 3 August 2026 and be ready to begin on 14 September 2026.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 12 July. The application process takes around 20 minutes and requires a CV, a cover letter if it is not already included in your CV, a New Zealand full driver licence, and a New Zealand permanent resident visa if applicable. Questions about the role can be directed to shane.gooch@mpi.govt.nz.

Benefits

• Extra leave days provided by the organisation.
• Annual wellness payment.
• Paid eye test twice a year, plus assistance toward the cost of corrective lenses and frames.