- Lead frontline fisheries compliance in a complex South Island district
- Build trusted partnerships with iwi, industry and communities
- Deliver high-impact enforcement outcomes protecting NZ’s fisheries
About MPI | Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has a vision to see New Zealand become the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and primary products.
MPI works across the food and fibre system to protect our environment, grow the value of our primary industries, and support rural communities.
About the Role | Kōrero mō te Tūranga
The District Manager Southland is responsible for leading the delivery of fisheries compliance and enforcement services across a complex and operationally demanding South Island district, based in Invercargill.
You will lead a team of compliance officers and specialists, overseeing operational planning, resource deployment and enforcement activity across recreational, commercial and customary fisheries. The district operates across competing stakeholder interests and complex enforcement demands, requiring confident leadership in an environment where priorities shift and decisions carry real consequence.
Success in this role will be your ability to build a cohesive, high-performing team and strengthen trusted relationships with iwi, industry and regional stakeholders. You will ensure continued delivery against performance targets while lifting team effectiveness and enabling confident delivery of complex operations.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and developing a high-performing compliance team
- Delivering fisheries compliance operations aligned to national priorities
- Managing planning, tasking and deployment of operational resources
- Making prosecution and enforcement decisions
- Building strong relationships with iwi, industry and community stakeholders
About You | Mōu
You are a natural people leader, with high emotional intelligence, the confidence to make sound decisions without perfect information, and the credibility to hold the trust of a wide range of stakeholders. You are comfortable working within a large organisation's frameworks while operating with genuine autonomy at district level, and you know how to bring people together and build a high-performing team culture.
The ideal candidate will bring:
- Demonstrated operational leadership experience in compliance, enforcement, regulatory or similar front-line environments
- Sound judgement and the confidence to make enforcement and prosecution decisions under pressure
- Experience engaging with iwi and Māori communities, with an understanding of te Tiriti o Waitangi
- High emotional intelligence and a proven ability to build trust and cohesion within a team
- Strong stakeholder management skills across competing interests and complex relationships
- Comfort operating in a decentralised command structure within a larger organisation
Security checks - Ngā 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.
- copy and paste this URL (https://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/guidance/getting-a-national-security-clearance) to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool here (https://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/guidance/getting-a-national-security-clearance/eligibility-tool).
Ready to Make a Difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?
IN SIDE Recruitment are assisting MPI with the recruitment of this role. If you are interested, please apply now and include your cover letter and CV.
For a confidential discussion please contact Jeremy McLeod (jeremy@inside.co.nz) or Fraser Leith (fraser@inside.co.nz) at IN SIDE Recruitment.
Applications close Tuesday 23rd June at 4pm.
Note: Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory. This role requires a Ministry of Justice criminal history check and the ability to obtain security clearance.
