Compliance Officer

• Develop your regulatory career
• On-going training and development opportunities
• Palmerston North based
• Start date 25 January 2027

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We have a several opportunities for Compliance Officers to join our teams around Aotearoa New Zealand. We are looking for people who have a genuine interest in making a positive impact on the commercial transport sector and growing their regulatory capability. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn and further develop your skills within an existing team of experienced practitioners.

As a Compliance Officer, you'll help deliver safer outcomes by conducting audits and reviews, assessing compliance, and making sound, risk-based decisions. You'll apply legislation with confidence, prepare clear assessments, and work with senior colleagues on more complex matters.

Working collaboratively across NZTA, you will:

• Coordinate, undertake, and make decisions on audits and reviews of regulated parties in line with NZTA’s regulatory and risk frameworks to help reduce risk and ensure compliance through monitoring and reviewing commercial transport operators 
• Collect, analyse, and evaluate information and data from a range of sources to identify potential areas of non‑compliance or emerging risk, you will meet with transport operators, gather information, write reports and analyse data to inform decisions
• Prepare clear, accurate, and well‑reasoned assessments, findings, and recommendations, supported by evidence and analysis and identify matters that are complex, sensitive, or present significant risk, and escalate these promptly to the Senior Compliance Officer with appropriate context and options
• Maintain accurate records and ensure information is managed in accordance with legislative, privacy, and information management requirements.

Travel is a key part of this role, and you'll regularly be engaging with operators across the regions.  You must have a full driver license, with no driving convictions.

You will find out more about the role here.

We are seeking to appoint at a salary between $80,388 to $89,320 commensurate to skills and experience.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with some regulatory, compliance or enforcement exposure looking to take the next step in their career. To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Experience delivering audits and reviews using a risk-based approach to assess compliance and identify opportunities for improvement
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation, policies, and regulatory requirements in a practical and consistent manner.
• Strong risk assessment skills, with the ability to identify compliance issues and recommend appropriate actions.
• Proven experience gathering, analysing, and documenting information to support audits, reviews, and investigations.
• High attention to detail, with strong analytical, documentation, and record-keeping capabilities.
• The ability to communicate effectively across different stakeholders internal and external, positivity communicates and contributes within a team environment.
• The ability to adapt your approach to different situations to get the best outcome
• You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector. 

Qualifications:

• Relevant tertiary qualification or some experience in a regulatory environment would be beneficial. Operational regulatory experience or relevant technical expertise would be an advantage but is not essential.

Ko wai mātou | About us  

The Safer Commercial Transport team is responsible for regulating commercial transport operators: from heavy vehicles to small passenger services. We do this by monitoring our sector through audits, reviews and investigations and working with industry to drive best practice. The team regulates transport operators that have been licensed to operate as a transport service.

Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return 

We care about our people and invest in supporting our staff at NZTA.  If you join us, you can expect:

A supportive working environment

Flexible working options

A competitive salary package, aligned with your skills and experience 5 weeks annual leave and other great benefits.

Ready to take the next step in your career? We’d love to hear from you.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply:  

Apply today by including a cover letter detailing why you are the ideal candidate for this role and attach along with your CV.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

8 November 2026

For further information, email: [email protected]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.