Job Description
Job title: Fishery Officer
Role type: Permanent, Full Time
Location: Auckland
Salary range: $74,251 to $87,365 depending on skills and experience
About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga
The working life of a Fishery Officer is a varied and interesting enforcement role. On any given day you may find yourself patrolling the beaches and boat ramps, interacting with the public, inspecting recreational and/or commercial fishing vessels, preparing a file for prosecution, taking part in a surveillance operation, gathering intelligence on fisheries offending, and/or analysing fisheries information. Developing and maintaining relationships with tangata whenua and stakeholder groups who use the fisheries resource is also an important aspect of this role. We are looking for someone with a passion for our marine environment and ensuring it is sustainably utilised and protected for future generations.
Our role is challenging and varied. Here's what we expect from our frontline staff:
This is not an 8am-5pm office based role. We expect our staff to target risk and use their initiative to get out into the field, detect offending and take those responsible to task
Work under the direction of your District Manager and with experience develop your own work plans and strategies dealing with the issues and priorities in our area
Be responsible for the education, monitoring and inspection activities across the Fisheries sector
Interpret and enforce all relevant fisheries legislation within the fisheries compliance environment
Detect, investigate, and take action against breaches of Fisheries legislation
Collate, interpret, and monitor fishing related information and electronic data
Effectively communicate and develop professional working relationships at all levels of the community and fishing industry
You do not need to meet all the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.
If successfully shortlisted, you will need to attend 1 of our all-day assessment centre days to be held in Auckland on either Saturday 21 March or Sunday 22 March 2026.
And if you're then shortlisted for a final interview, you will need to be able to attend this in person, on either Wednesday 25 March or Thursday 26 March 2026.
Preferred candidates will be asked to complete the fitness test at a suitable time following the above process. Fitness test requirements are detailed in the attached Position Description.
Please consider your availability for these dates before applying. We anticipate the successful candidates to start in May/June 2026.
About the Team - Mo to matou Ropu
The area you will be working is across the wider Auckland Region. This team services the greater Auckland area from Wellsford in the North to Kaiaua in the South including the wider Hauraki Gulf. The Auckland compliance team is made up of two districts; North Harbour and Manukau. There are approx. 20-30 Fishery Officers who report to two District Managers and are assisted by support staff and a Regional Manager. The teams are based at the Auckland MPI centre out of Mangere, near the Auckland airport.
We also have an active Honorary Fishery Officer network. This team comes from a variety of backgrounds and are people who enjoy time in the outdoors, on the water, engaging with people, and problem solving.
Altogether we are a driven and passionate team who work hard but like to have fun together and celebrate successes.
About You - Mou
Fishery Officers will have an interest in the marine environment and some knowledge of how the New Zealand Fisheries framework system works. This is an opportunity to combine problem solving with sustainability. You may have studied some Marine Biology, enjoy fishing or diving, trace a special relationship to the moana through generations, have an operational background, have worked in enforcement, or maybe it's something else that inspires you to do this role.
You will:
Be an achiever in both an individual and team context
Be able to work unsociable hours (weekends and during the night) when required and in differing environments. This also includes being on call to respond to complaints from the public
Be able to communicate with a range of people and cultures
Be able to operate calmly and effectively in confrontational situations
Have the appropriate level of physical fitness to successfully pass our fitness competency assessment (as detailed in the Position Description)
Have the ability, when necessary, to travel away overnight (sometimes at short notice). You will need to hold a full NZ Driver Licence
Be available for domestic and international Fishery patrol deployments on Navy, Airforce, or other government assets
Have analytical experience and an enquiring mind-set
Have an understanding of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its importance in a NZ Fisheries context
Have knowledge and an interest in the marine environment and the NZ Fisheries framework
Be competent in the use of the Microsoft Office suite of programmes
Have the passion, motivation and drive to succeed as a Fishery Officer
About MPI - Mo te Manatu Ahu Matua
We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki - guardianship of our natural resources.
Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua
Additional MPI leave days
Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
Security checks - Nga Taki Whakahaumaru
Higher level Security Clearance
most preferably a New Zealand citizen who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last ten (10) years, OR
is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last ten (10) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK or the USA; and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZSIS towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at a higher level.
click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.
If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.
Drug and ******* Screening - Whakamatau Whakapoauau me te Waipiro
Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred candidates(s) for the position will be required to undergo a drug and ******* pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.
Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.
We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatu Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.
In your Cover Letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.
To view the Position Description and/or Apply online, please click "APPLY FOR THIS JOB" or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it - click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.
Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday, 01 March 2026
If you have any questions about the role, please email fiona.ramson@mpi.govt.nz
Follow MPI here - Whaia nga tuhononga ki MPI i konei
Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, LinkedIn, X
Role type: Permanent, Full Time
Location: Auckland
Salary range: $74,251 to $87,365 depending on skills and experience
About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga
The working life of a Fishery Officer is a varied and interesting enforcement role. On any given day you may find yourself patrolling the beaches and boat ramps, interacting with the public, inspecting recreational and/or commercial fishing vessels, preparing a file for prosecution, taking part in a surveillance operation, gathering intelligence on fisheries offending, and/or analysing fisheries information. Developing and maintaining relationships with tangata whenua and stakeholder groups who use the fisheries resource is also an important aspect of this role. We are looking for someone with a passion for our marine environment and ensuring it is sustainably utilised and protected for future generations.
Our role is challenging and varied. Here's what we expect from our frontline staff:
This is not an 8am-5pm office based role. We expect our staff to target risk and use their initiative to get out into the field, detect offending and take those responsible to task
Work under the direction of your District Manager and with experience develop your own work plans and strategies dealing with the issues and priorities in our area
Be responsible for the education, monitoring and inspection activities across the Fisheries sector
Interpret and enforce all relevant fisheries legislation within the fisheries compliance environment
Detect, investigate, and take action against breaches of Fisheries legislation
Collate, interpret, and monitor fishing related information and electronic data
Effectively communicate and develop professional working relationships at all levels of the community and fishing industry
You do not need to meet all the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.
If successfully shortlisted, you will need to attend 1 of our all-day assessment centre days to be held in Auckland on either Saturday 21 March or Sunday 22 March 2026.
And if you're then shortlisted for a final interview, you will need to be able to attend this in person, on either Wednesday 25 March or Thursday 26 March 2026.
Preferred candidates will be asked to complete the fitness test at a suitable time following the above process. Fitness test requirements are detailed in the attached Position Description.
Please consider your availability for these dates before applying. We anticipate the successful candidates to start in May/June 2026.
About the Team - Mo to matou Ropu
The area you will be working is across the wider Auckland Region. This team services the greater Auckland area from Wellsford in the North to Kaiaua in the South including the wider Hauraki Gulf. The Auckland compliance team is made up of two districts; North Harbour and Manukau. There are approx. 20-30 Fishery Officers who report to two District Managers and are assisted by support staff and a Regional Manager. The teams are based at the Auckland MPI centre out of Mangere, near the Auckland airport.
We also have an active Honorary Fishery Officer network. This team comes from a variety of backgrounds and are people who enjoy time in the outdoors, on the water, engaging with people, and problem solving.
Altogether we are a driven and passionate team who work hard but like to have fun together and celebrate successes.
About You - Mou
Fishery Officers will have an interest in the marine environment and some knowledge of how the New Zealand Fisheries framework system works. This is an opportunity to combine problem solving with sustainability. You may have studied some Marine Biology, enjoy fishing or diving, trace a special relationship to the moana through generations, have an operational background, have worked in enforcement, or maybe it's something else that inspires you to do this role.
You will:
Be an achiever in both an individual and team context
Be able to work unsociable hours (weekends and during the night) when required and in differing environments. This also includes being on call to respond to complaints from the public
Be able to communicate with a range of people and cultures
Be able to operate calmly and effectively in confrontational situations
Have the appropriate level of physical fitness to successfully pass our fitness competency assessment (as detailed in the Position Description)
Have the ability, when necessary, to travel away overnight (sometimes at short notice). You will need to hold a full NZ Driver Licence
Be available for domestic and international Fishery patrol deployments on Navy, Airforce, or other government assets
Have analytical experience and an enquiring mind-set
Have an understanding of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its importance in a NZ Fisheries context
Have knowledge and an interest in the marine environment and the NZ Fisheries framework
Be competent in the use of the Microsoft Office suite of programmes
Have the passion, motivation and drive to succeed as a Fishery Officer
About MPI - Mo te Manatu Ahu Matua
We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki - guardianship of our natural resources.
Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua
Additional MPI leave days
Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
Security checks - Nga Taki Whakahaumaru
Higher level Security Clearance
most preferably a New Zealand citizen who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last ten (10) years, OR
is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last ten (10) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK or the USA; and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZSIS towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at a higher level.
click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.
If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.
Drug and ******* Screening - Whakamatau Whakapoauau me te Waipiro
Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred candidates(s) for the position will be required to undergo a drug and ******* pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.
Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.
We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatu Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.
In your Cover Letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.
To view the Position Description and/or Apply online, please click "APPLY FOR THIS JOB" or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it - click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.
Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday, 01 March 2026
If you have any questions about the role, please email fiona.ramson@mpi.govt.nz
Follow MPI here - Whaia nga tuhononga ki MPI i konei
Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, LinkedIn, X
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Fishery Officer, Auckland position is now open for candidates interested in the Education Jobs sector. This role in Auckland offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Education Jobs is a plus.
