Specialist Investigator – Asset Recovery Unit
- Based at Hamilton Police Station
E tῡ ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā.
Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face
Mō te tūnga | About the role
The Police Asset Recovery Unit's primary roles are to deny criminals the opportunity to benefit from their offending or the ability to re-invest in criminal activity. The Specialist Investigator leads investigations into the accrual and use of illicit finance so that offenders cannot re-invest any profits derived from crime.
Your role will involve reviewing and assessing a variety of alleged criminal offending. You will create financial profiles for identified targets and undertake detailed investigations to identify ownership and/or beneficial ownership of assets.
Your work will determine and quantify legitimate and illegitimate income on an evidenced basis and support successful court proceedings to restrain and forfeit assets derived from the proceeds of crime.
Key Accountabilities:
- Prepare and present written and verbal information in a clear and concise way, ensuring work meets NZ Police and Court standards.
- Build and maintain relationships and interact with members of the local and international financial business community.
- Prepare and execute production orders, search warrants and examination orders, and work together with investigation teams targeting serious criminal activity
- Know how to identify and manage risk, and manage reactive and proactive investigations
- Facilitate cooperation and partnerships across teams, ranks and organisations.
- Identify problems, generate solutions and make rational decisions.
- Manage time effectively to complete multiple files and meet deadlines.
He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring
Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.
To be successful in this role you will bring:
- Experience managing large and complex criminal and/or civil investigations.
- Experience working well with internal and external partners.
- Ability to assess detailed information and produce clear and concise written documentation.
- Knowledge of applicable legislation including Crimes Act 1961, Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 and Search and Surveillance Act 2012.
- The ability to learn new systems and analyse money laundering techniques.
- The ability to actively prioritise both reactive and proactive work while maintaining quality, communication and wellbeing.
Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements
- This role is based Hamilton. Some domestic travel may be required
- Must hold a full Class 1 driving licence
- Authorised Officers are required to successfully complete a Physical Competency Test (PCT) prior to any appointment being confirmed. A medical certificate of good health may be required.
The ability to obtain the following qualifications:
- PITT (Police Integrated Tactical Training) Certificate
- Frontline Safety Training - Level 2
- Professional Police Driver Program - Bronze
This role is Individual Contributor/Emerging Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements
To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:
https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/2026-09/Specialist%20Investigator%20-%20ARU%20and%20VAT.pdf
Mo tātou | About us
New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.
Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.
The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.
To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:
Applicant Information Pack (External)
Tono ināianei | Apply now
If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing and police vetting prior to any written offer being made.
For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers
All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.
Utu ā-tau | Salary
This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence between $96,008 and $101,632 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.
Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Tuesday 29th September 2026. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.
If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Talent Pathway Advisor zinta.walsh@police.govt.nz
