Maritime Officer - Napier

Full job description
Mo m tou | About Us

Our Vision: Preventing Harm. Saving Lives. Securing our Future

We play a key role in the guardianship of New Zealand waterways. We're bringing together our aroha, work and skills to achieve our outcomes of sustainable supply chains and sectors, safe people and operations, secure ports and ships, and clean seas and waterways.

Our values are about who we are as individuals and the behaviours we expect from each other at Maritime NZ.

Care | Kia Tika - We care for each other and do the right thing

Connect | Kotahitanga - We unite in a common purpose

Courage | Kia M ia - We are brave, capable and confident

Mo to m tou Ropu - About the team

The General Regulatory Operations (GRO) teams support, encourage and require compliance with safety, environmental and health and safety at work regulations.

While undertaking these core activities the GRO teams also increase MNZ's understanding on the causes and drivers of non-compliance, and utilises this information in order to increase the effectiveness of our education, engagement and enforcement efforts.

Te tunga | The role

One day you might be at a marina ensuring vessels are compliant with regulations. The next day you could be investigating or auditing a commercial vessel, or perhaps patrolling with the Harbour Master keeping public health and safety in check. If variety, being outdoors and around water floats your boat, we think you'll be right in your element.

You'll apply quality assurance practices consistently and identify practice and process improvements, to ensure a culture of process improvement and work closely with the Notifications and Enquiries team to support the end to end processing of enquiries and notifications referred to GRO for response.

Supporting the development and delivery of education, and guidance produced to prevent harm in the maritime community you'll assist operators and PCBU's to meet regulatory requirements and operate safety and cleanly. You'll conduct investigations into maritime accidents and incidents as required and participate in prosecution processes as necessary.

You will support Maritime NZ's role in specific response incidents and undertake response-related training to acquire/maintain specific skills that may support Maritime NZ's response functions and roles.

This is a field staff role and is not suitable for remote working.

Nou te rourou | What you bring

Willing to be trained in modern regulatory, harm prevention and risk management practice
The ability to influence and persuade with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to manage relationships at all levels;
A current driver's license and the ability to travel domestically and internationally;
The ability to work in a culturally safe and respectful manner, always being mindful of the cultural diversity of the industry and having regard to Te Ao M ori and Treaty of Waitangi principles.
Ideally you may have some of these other requirements

An understanding of the Maritime Transport Act
An understanding of the Health and Safety at Work Act
Health and Safety regulatory and compliance experience within local or national Government or with a similar international organisation
An understanding of the Maritime Operator Safety System (MOSS)
A proven history of educating and networking across a wide range of people and cultures
Experience working in the maritime or associated industries, may hold a NZ domestic or overseas maritime qualification
Mou | For you

Maritime NZ recognises and respects te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are committed to working with M ori to build strong, meaningful and enduring relationships to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

We aim to be a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported with a sense of belonging. We encourage our people to actively contribute to our workplace culture where we all thrive and authentically live our MNZ values.

Upon joining us you'll receive a full range of benefits including Income Protection and Life Insurance so check out our full range on our careers page to find out more about why we love working here.

Applications for this role close on Wednesday 17th September 2026.

Any questions please contact Jo Attewell at jo.attewell@maritimenz.govt.nz.