Adviser - Animal & Aquatic Risk at Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington City

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Job title: Adviser Animal & Aquatic Risk

Role type: Full time, permanent

Location: Wellington City

Salary band & range: GSR F $76,463 to $89,215 depending on skills and experience

 

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

Are you passionate about protecting New Zealand's unique biodiversity? Do you want to make a real difference to the health of our ocean, freshwater and marine environments? The Biosecurity Risk Advice group is seeking an Adviser to join our Animal & Aquatic Risk team. This is a great opportunity for an early-career scientist (2–5 years' experience) who is ready to apply their aquatic science skills in a real-world biosecurity setting, assessing risk, communicating evidence clearly, and supporting import decisions that help keep harmful organisms and diseases out of Aotearoa.

 

As our Adviser Animal & Aquatic Risk, you will provide evidence-based advice on aquatic and marine biosecurity risks across import pathways and throughout the wider biosecurity system. Your expertise will help minimise the likelihood and impact of harmful aquatic organisms and diseases entering or establishing in New Zealand.

 

In this role, you will:

• Assess and communicate aquatic and marine biosecurity risks to support safe and appropriate import decisions.
• Protect New Zealand's marine and aquatic environments by informing risk management decisions that help safeguard domestic biodiversity, industries, and communities.
• Work within a multidisciplinary team providing science-based advice on aquatic animal health, marine organisms and related risks to decision‑makers across MPI.

 

This is an opportunity to apply your aquatic and marine science expertise to work that makes a direct and meaningful difference to Aotearoa's biosecurity.

 

About You – Mōu

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in Aquatic, Marine or Environmental Sciences (or equivalent), plus relevant professional experience applying science in practice (e.g., research, monitoring, consulting, policy/risk advice, operational biosecurity).
• Working knowledge of both freshwater and marine environments and organisms and an understanding of how species and pathogens can move between environments and pathways.
• Experience gathering, interpreting, and presenting scientific information to support decisions, and tailoring messages for a range of audiences (technical and non‑technical).
• Strong analytical and evaluation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• A willingness to learn, adapt, innovate, and take on new challenges.

 

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

 

About the team

The Animal & Aquatic Risk team is part of the Biosecurity Risk Advice Group, within the Biosecurity Import and Export Standards Directorate of Biosecurity New Zealand. We provide fit‑for‑purpose scientific and risk assessment advice to support biosecurity decision-making. Our work covers risks of animal, aquatic and marine organisms that may cause harm to New Zealand's land and aquatic environments.

 

The Biosecurity Import and Export Standards Directorate sets and manages the rules that goods and craft must meet before entering New Zealand. It also sets standards for border facilities, issues permits, audits exporting countries' systems and supports New Zealand exporters to meet overseas market access requirements for forestry, plants, and plant products.

 

We are a diverse, open-minded, and passionate team committed to protecting Aotearoa's biosecurity. We invest in our people through training, professional development and on‑the‑job learning opportunities. Colleagues are willing and able to mentor you within this role.

 

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

 

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

 

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?
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 11.59pm 3 May 2026  

 

If you have any questions about the role, please email Sophie.Hallett@mpi.govt.nz 

 

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