Job Description
Principal Adviser Health, Safety & Wellbeing
View all jobs
Christchurch Central, Canterbury
Occupational Health & Safety (Human Resources & Recruitment)
Government (Government & Defence)
Full time
$117,035 to $130,31+
Posted 18h ago
Principal Adviser, Health Safety & Wellbeing
Role type: Permanent full-time
Location: Christchurch (Ōtautahi)
Starting salary range: $117,035 to $130,31+ based on skills and experience
Working alongside the Biosecurity New Zealand Manager Health, Safety & Wellbeing you will provide advice, assistance, and support across the various Biosecurity New Zealand directorates to enable a consistent, best practice approach to health, safety, and wellbeing. You will play a key role in delivering the ‘Biosecurity done Safely' strategy and programme of work. This includes a refresh of our worker participation and engagement.
Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role
As the Principal Adviser you will support the Biosecurity NZ Manager Health, Safety & Wellbeing to deliver a varied work programme. The work programme is interesting and spans numerous critical risks associated with working in different environments all over New Zealand (and some offshore activities) - such as Airports and Seaports, Remote and Isolated areas, Laboratories, Wilderness, Ocean, and Offices.
The work programme focuses on delivering the priorities set by the MPI Health, Safety and Wellbeing Governance Committee and the Biosecurity New Zealand Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee. This programme delivery is supported by embedded health, safety, and wellbeing advisers. You will promote leadership in health and safety, provide expert advice, assistance, and support across Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) to enable the realisation of the ‘Biosecurity done Safely' strategy and enhance operational management of health and safety.
In this role you will:
Work with BNZ operational leads to develop, monitor, and review the programme of work related to its critical risks to health, safety, and wellbeing.
Partner with key stakeholders across Biosecurity New Zealand and wider MPI to ensure the health and safety expectations of both the business and wider organisation are met.
Provide coaching and mentoring as required and contribute to the ongoing development of health, safety, and wellbeing capability across Biosecurity New Zealand and MPI.
Act as a point of escalation for technical or specialist health and safety advice for the embedded advisers.
Lead and contribute to programme and project delivery which includes writing business cases, governance reports and review operational Health and Safety procedures and guideline documents.
Mōu - About You
You will have a recognised qualification in health, safety and wellbeing and extensive experience in industrial or high-risk environments ideally within a large, complex organisation. You bring a strong understanding of the New Zealand/Australian health and safety regulations and practical expertise in the application of this knowledge.
You will be recognised for your technical expertise and pragmatic approach to health, safety, and wellbeing. Your skills in implementing health, safety & wellbeing initiatives will be highly valued.
You will be an excellent communicator who can take complex information from a range of sources and make it digestible for a range of different audiences.
Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most sustainable provider of high-value food and primary products.
Biosecurity New Zealand is part of the Ministry for Primary Industries and is focused on:
stopping pests and diseases at the border before they get to New Zealand
eradicating or managing the impact of those already here
Biosecurity New Zealand has a critical role in preventing harmful organisms crossing New Zealand's borders. It manages border and compliance activities as well as preparing for, and responding to, any biosecurity incursions that may occur.
With the help of New Zealanders, we ensure our unique environments, and the value of our primary industries are maintained.
New Zealand has a complex and effective biosecurity system to support our unique environment and the relatively few pests and diseases that threaten our economy. New Zealand's biosecurity system has 3 interlocking layers of protection - pre-border, border, and post-border. From regulations, to inspections and surveillance, our robust system helps prevent new threats from establishing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This system involves:
trade and bilateral agreements
international plant and animal health standards
risk assessment and import health standards
border interventions
readiness and response
surveillance
pest and diseases management.
Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua - Benefits of working at MPI
Ability to purchase extra annual leave
Annual Wellness payment
Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames.
Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.
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 Manatū 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 midnight on 22 October 2026
If you have any questions about the role, please email tania.beynon@mpi.govt.nz
Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei - Follow MPI here
Links to Facebook, MPI Careers
Report this job advert
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Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs.
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salary teaser image
What can I earn as an Adviser
See more detailed salary information salary teaser link arrow
View all jobs
Christchurch Central, Canterbury
Occupational Health & Safety (Human Resources & Recruitment)
Government (Government & Defence)
Full time
$117,035 to $130,31+
Posted 18h ago
Principal Adviser, Health Safety & Wellbeing
Role type: Permanent full-time
Location: Christchurch (Ōtautahi)
Starting salary range: $117,035 to $130,31+ based on skills and experience
Working alongside the Biosecurity New Zealand Manager Health, Safety & Wellbeing you will provide advice, assistance, and support across the various Biosecurity New Zealand directorates to enable a consistent, best practice approach to health, safety, and wellbeing. You will play a key role in delivering the ‘Biosecurity done Safely' strategy and programme of work. This includes a refresh of our worker participation and engagement.
Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role
As the Principal Adviser you will support the Biosecurity NZ Manager Health, Safety & Wellbeing to deliver a varied work programme. The work programme is interesting and spans numerous critical risks associated with working in different environments all over New Zealand (and some offshore activities) - such as Airports and Seaports, Remote and Isolated areas, Laboratories, Wilderness, Ocean, and Offices.
The work programme focuses on delivering the priorities set by the MPI Health, Safety and Wellbeing Governance Committee and the Biosecurity New Zealand Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee. This programme delivery is supported by embedded health, safety, and wellbeing advisers. You will promote leadership in health and safety, provide expert advice, assistance, and support across Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) to enable the realisation of the ‘Biosecurity done Safely' strategy and enhance operational management of health and safety.
In this role you will:
Work with BNZ operational leads to develop, monitor, and review the programme of work related to its critical risks to health, safety, and wellbeing.
Partner with key stakeholders across Biosecurity New Zealand and wider MPI to ensure the health and safety expectations of both the business and wider organisation are met.
Provide coaching and mentoring as required and contribute to the ongoing development of health, safety, and wellbeing capability across Biosecurity New Zealand and MPI.
Act as a point of escalation for technical or specialist health and safety advice for the embedded advisers.
Lead and contribute to programme and project delivery which includes writing business cases, governance reports and review operational Health and Safety procedures and guideline documents.
Mōu - About You
You will have a recognised qualification in health, safety and wellbeing and extensive experience in industrial or high-risk environments ideally within a large, complex organisation. You bring a strong understanding of the New Zealand/Australian health and safety regulations and practical expertise in the application of this knowledge.
You will be recognised for your technical expertise and pragmatic approach to health, safety, and wellbeing. Your skills in implementing health, safety & wellbeing initiatives will be highly valued.
You will be an excellent communicator who can take complex information from a range of sources and make it digestible for a range of different audiences.
Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most sustainable provider of high-value food and primary products.
Biosecurity New Zealand is part of the Ministry for Primary Industries and is focused on:
stopping pests and diseases at the border before they get to New Zealand
eradicating or managing the impact of those already here
Biosecurity New Zealand has a critical role in preventing harmful organisms crossing New Zealand's borders. It manages border and compliance activities as well as preparing for, and responding to, any biosecurity incursions that may occur.
With the help of New Zealanders, we ensure our unique environments, and the value of our primary industries are maintained.
New Zealand has a complex and effective biosecurity system to support our unique environment and the relatively few pests and diseases that threaten our economy. New Zealand's biosecurity system has 3 interlocking layers of protection - pre-border, border, and post-border. From regulations, to inspections and surveillance, our robust system helps prevent new threats from establishing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This system involves:
trade and bilateral agreements
international plant and animal health standards
risk assessment and import health standards
border interventions
readiness and response
surveillance
pest and diseases management.
Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua - Benefits of working at MPI
Ability to purchase extra annual leave
Annual Wellness payment
Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames.
Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.
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 Manatū 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 midnight on 22 October 2026
If you have any questions about the role, please email tania.beynon@mpi.govt.nz
Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei - Follow MPI here
Links to Facebook, MPI Careers
Report this job advert
Be careful
Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs.
Learn how to protect yourself
salary teaser image
What can I earn as an Adviser
See more detailed salary information salary teaser link arrow
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Principal Adviser Health| Safety Wellbeing position is now open for candidates interested in the Health Jobs sector. This role in Christchurch 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 Health Jobs is a plus.