Health and Safety Inspector

Make a positive difference to the health, safety and wellbeing of all Aotearoa

The Frontline Inspector role is dynamic, with no two days the same

WorkSafe is investing in growing this team

Become a Health and Safety Inspector and help influence our community to ensure everyone who goes to work comes home healthy and safe.

About us - Mo tatou

What is the most important thing in the world, it is people, it is people, it is people

He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

Hello, Kia ora, Noa'ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Mālō e lelei, Tālofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō ni, Kia orana, nǐ hǎo, Kamusta.

WorkSafe New Zealand | Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa, is the primary workplace health and safety regulator - our vision is that everyone who goes to mahi comes home healthy and safe.  Our kaimahi are passionate about our vision and embrace and demonstrate our Mātāpono WorkSafe Values through the mahi they do:

Whakakotahi - we're united in a strong purpose

Kōrero mai - we engage meaningfully

Tiakina mai - we're entrusted with a duty of care

About your team - Ko te tīma

The Inspectorate at WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru plays a critical role in workplace health and safety. The Inspectorate's overall goal is to prevent workplace harm, promote a culture of health and safety, and hold organisations accountable for maintaining healthy and safe working conditions.

Guided by evidence about acute, chronic, and catastrophic harm, WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru prioritise high-risk sectors and high-risk activities. Across these priority areas, WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru deliver enforcement, engagement and permitting activities to maximise our influence and achieve better, more equitable outcomes.

We are looking to establish a new satellite team based out of our Greymouth office, focused on supporting key industries across the region, including agriculture, manufacturing, forestry, and adventure activities. Providing coverage across the wider West Coast region, the team works with a diverse range of businesses and workers to help improve health and safety outcomes. In this role, you'll have the opportunity to engage with a variety of workplaces while playing an important part in influencing positive health and safety practices across the region.

As the team provides coverage across the wider West Coast, travel is a key part of the role. You'll enjoy getting out and about, building relationships with businesses and workers. Once you become a warranted Inspector travel is expected, including overnight stays when required.

During your training period, you'll be supported by our experienced Christchurch-based Inspectorate team. You will be required to drive to our Christchurch office on a regular basis. You will be flexible and comfortable with overnight stays. This may be up to one week at a time. As part of a satellite team that operates away from the wider team, you'll enjoy working autonomously, taking initiative, and managing your day-to-day activities independently while remaining connected to your wider Inspectorate colleagues.

About the role - Ō te tūranga

You start your journey as a Trainee Health and Safety Inspector and will progress your way through a series of in-house training courses, on the job experience and coaching until you obtain a Certificate of Appointment giving you powers as an Inspector. As your career as an Inspector continues, you will continuously build your skills and knowledge to become a highly competent Inspector.

As a Health and Safety Inspector, you can expect that no two days will be the same! Inspectors complete a range of mahi. This could be a site visit completing an assessment, compiling reports, or investigating an accident. The work is varied and interesting, but at times can be challenging due to the nature of the role as you may be exposed to traumatic events, files, photos and statements.

You will enjoy being out and about, with driving being a regular part of the role. You will also be flexible and comfortable with overnight stays when the role requires you to travel within your region or further afield.

You will love building rapport with stakeholders and have a natural ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds. The conversations may not always be easy, but you will remain calm under pressure and be able to appreciate the viewpoints and perspectives of others. You will assess all the information and risks to identify the best outcome. In doing so, you will work towards achieving a common goal of ensuring that all New Zealander's that go to work come home healthy and safe.

What you will bring - Ko ngā pukenga ōu

The ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt when situations change

Strong communication and collaboration, with the ability to build relationships

Ability to communicate in additional languages is highly regarded

The ability to use a range of methods to communicate, both written and verbal

Proven experience in problem-solving

Cultural awareness and a willingness to build your understanding and skill in te reo and tikanga Māori

The ability to plan and prioritise tasks effectively to achieve results

Be a NZ/Australian citizen or NZ Permanent Resident/Resident

Have a full, clean driver licence

Confident in using various forms of technology

Able to work across locations

Once you are experienced and are a qualified Inspector, you may be required to be on the on-call roster.

With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.

The full position description is available from the advert on our careers centre: WorkSafe New Zealand

Salary range - Awhe utu

As part of our remuneration framework, the starting annual salary for this role is $84,956. Once you have satisfied the requirements and successfully completed the Inspector Foundation Development Programme and are appointed to Inspector I level, the annual salary is increased to $87,562. Note: KiwiSaver/SSRSS employer contribution is additional to/on top of your base salary.

We offer a range of benefits including:

Free life insurance for the duration of your employment

$400 contribution towards setting up your home workstation

Discounts on health insurance and eye care

Five weeks annual leave

15 days sick leave and

Learning and professional development opportunities

* A Reward and Recognition Framework that celebrates the impact our kaimahi make - your mahi matters

There are a growing number of employee led networks to promote the goals and needs of our diverse communities, such as our Rainbow Network, Pacific Network, Wāhine / Women's Network, and Tū Rangatira Māori Network.

How to apply - Me pēhea te tono

Click the apply link, complete the application form and submit a copy of your CV and cover letter.

AI can be a helpful tool when preparing your application, but what matters most to us is you. Please ensure your CV, cover letter, and responses reflect your own skills, experiences, and perspective. We want to hear your real story - your passion, your personality, and what makes you unique. Don't let AI do all the talking - let it support you, not replace you.

Applications close on 18 October 2026 - Ka kati nga tono 18 Ōketopa 2026

All key dates can be found here Join our health and safety inspectors | WorkSafe