Manager Compliance and Investigations
Our purpose | To tatou kaupapa
We are the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Aotearoa New Zealand’s independent environmental regulator. Our role is important: to help protect our country’s unique way of life by looking out for the health of its environment, its economy and its people.
Our kaupapa is about making the right decisions based on evidence, mātauranga, and science. At the EPA, we encourage big ideas and bold goals.
What we achieve today helps shape the future of New Zealand for generations to come.
Jump in the waka - make history with us.
About our group | Mō te roopu
Compliance, monitoring and enforcement (CME) is an integral part of the EPA’s work to protect the environment and the health outcomes of New Zealanders. Activities undertaken by the CME Group sit alongside decision-making and engagement and are fundamental to the overall strategic direction of the EPA.
The Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Group helps everyone – from small businesses to big organisations - understand and comply with environmental regulations to help protect communities, the environment and people.
We do this through educating, engaging, monitoring and investigating, and taking enforcement action when necessary. This approach benefits the environment, the economy and communities, and means we can focus our resources (including our enforcement powers) on tackling the most important environmental issues.
Our multi-disciplinary team of compliance, monitoring and enforcement officers work together, supporting each other to carry out this essential role in maintaining and upholding New Zealand’s environmental regulatory regime for the good of all of Aotearoa today, and for future generations.
About the role | Mō te tūnga
The Manager: Compliance and Investigation is part of a new leadership structure and will lead the operational delivery of our Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement functions. In this role you will:
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Manage the delivery of both our compliance function, dealing with all of the non-compliance notifications from the general public and internal teams in a timely and efficient manner, and our investigation function, investigating situations of serious non-compliance and often leading to formal enforcement action.
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Work collaboratively as part of the CME Leadership team, working across the organisation and with regulatory colleagues in other agencies to help us develop into a best practice modern regulator.
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Lead and develop our kaimahi, building capable confident teams through coaching, performance management and fostering accountability.
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Take a lead role in our assurance systems making sure training, HS&W, and continuous improvement are an integral part of what we do.
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Be responsible for decision making across the CME group, ensuring decisions are lawful, proportionate and in line with our strategic direction.
This role is based in our Wellington office. While we're happy to consider work-from-home arrangements, this role is not designed for full-time remote working.
About you | Mōhou ake
We are looking for someone with a range of skills and experience – if you have some or all of the below, we would love to hear from you:
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Senior CME leadership experience with a track record of leading complex compliance and investigation functions
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Extensive experience leading and developing high-performing teams
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Advanced knowledge of NZ’s legislation, with a particular expertise in enforcement
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Strong stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills (both internally and externally)
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Sound judgement and proportionate thinking
What’s in it for you | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou
There are extra benefits to working at the EPA:
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flexible working culture
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three additional paid leave days between Christmas and New Years in addition to four weeks’ annual leave
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$400 non-taxable payment to help you set up working at home
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an annual paid EPA Environment Day to support the community with environmental initiatives
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in-house Māori cultural capability building programme
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learning opportunities, including the annual EPA Symposium
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active and lively social club, and diverse groups and support networks
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EPA awards recognising individual and team effort
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relocation help for those moving to New Zealand from overseas.
Salary range
$144,338 - $216,508 annum (midpoint $180,423).
This is the full salary range of the band, from 80% - 120%. Appointments will generally be made at or below the midpoint of this range, depending on skills and experience.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
Complete the online application form and submit your CV and a covering letter.
Please note: your covering letter is an important part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your experience relates to this role, and why you applied. Tell us about you, your values and/or whakapapa.
View the Position description
For more information, please contact recruit@epa.govt.nz or check out the careers section of our website www.epa.govt.nz/careers.
Applications close | Rā Katinga
5pm, 17 June 2026
We will review applications as they are submitted and may begin our selection process prior to the end of the application stage