Senior Licensing Officer

• Shape safer driving outcomes across Aotearoa by lifting regulatory performance and industry standards

• Use your expertise in interpreting legislation and policy to make robust, principled regulatory decisions, supported by strong verbal and written decision rationale

• Permanent position located in Christchurch or Auckland

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity 

We have an opportunity for Senior Licensing Officers to join our Driver Testing and Training team, where you will audit and assess testing officer and course providers to ensure drivers meet the driving standards required to ensure safety on New Zealand roads.

If you are keen to make a genuine contribution towards the lives of Kiwi’s, and have the values that we are looking for, we are keen to hear from you!

View the position description here.

Appointment base salary is from $96,401 to $111,622 commensurate to skills and experience (mid-point $101,474).

Ko koe tēnei | About you 

This role will draw on your experience and ability to engage with industry to promote compliance through education, respond to non-compliance, and influence behaviour using a range of regulatory tool – including suspension, revocation, prosecution, or other appropriate enforcement actions.   You will be confident engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, able to navigate challenging conversations while focusing on the most effective levers to achieve best‑practice and regulatory compliance outcomes.

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• Experience conducting assessments, audits, or investigations to ensure compliance with legislation or policy

• Ability to educate and influence positive safety outcomes across a diverse industry

• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying legislation, regulations, or policy in a regulatory or compliance environment

• Proven ability to analyse complex information and make sound, evidence‑based decisions

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including clear documentation of decision rationale

• Confidence working with ambiguity and applying judgement within legislative and organisational frameworks

• Ability to assess risk and determine appropriate responses within delegation and statutory obligations

• Adaptability in your approach to achieve the best outcomes

• Strong relationship‑building skills and an appreciation for different perspectives

• Sound analytical and problem‑solving capability

• Resilience, professionalism, and the ability to be firm and fair

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.

Ko wai mātou | About us

As the lead regulator for land transport our purpose is to ensure that the system is safe, efficient, effective and operates in the public interest. Safety is a top priority for NZTA and we, as Te Rōpu Waeture (the Regulatory Services group), aim to improve safety and reduce the risk of harm by being a firm and fair real-world regulator applying principles of good practice grounded in Te Ao Maori - Whakapono (Integrity), Manaakitanga (Caring for people), Whanaungatanga (Relationships) and Kotahitanga (Unity).

Being a real-world regulator means we take a systems view that is focused on improving safety outcomes and reducing harm, we work to understand why people behave the way they do and are pragmatic in how we respond, we encourage and educate to support people to comply and enforce compliance when necessary.

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.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

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.