New Zealand Customs Service Looking for Trainee Customs Officers – Queenstown at Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand Full Time NEW

• Want a job where no two days are the same?
• Interested in working as part of a team that’s committed to the safety and security of Aotearoa’s borders?

If you’ve been a fan of Border Patrol and always wondered what it would be like to work for Customs – we’ve got full-time entry-level roles available for Customs Officers in beautiful Queenstown. Come and be part of our dedicated team facilitating legitimate trade, protecting our borders and safeguarding our community. You’ll play a crucial role in enforcing Customs regulations, preventing illegal activities and facilitating the movement of goods and people across our border.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi

Queenstown is a busy regional port that is growing each year. It sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu and is renowned for its adventure sports and is also a base for exploring vineyards and historic mining towns. With a regional population of nearly 40,000 it is also known for its commerce-oriented tourism.

If you’re wondering about weather… it has an oceanic climate so in summer, there are long warm days with temperatures up to 30 degrees; and in winter you get snow and it’s been known to get as cold as -8 degrees.

You’ll be part of a close-knit team of 30+ staff who are primarily focused on airport operations.

Our full time Officers in Queenstown work 40 hours per week on a ‘6 days on and 3 days off’ rostered shift pattern. As part of this role, you will need to be able to work Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Note – The training intake date for this cohort is 25th August 2025 and will be held in Auckland. You will need to be able to attend 4 weeks of training in Auckland. Customs will arrange your travel and accommodation.

What we offer | He aha mātou e tuku

We’ll Train You For The Job. Customs Provides a Comprehensive 6 Week Training Programme Along With The Opportunity To Learn On The Job In Addition To

• 20 days annual leave plus 3 days additional paid leave between Christmas and New Year
• As required, unspecified sick leave after 2 years of continuous service
• Continuity of service if you move from another Public sector organization (without break of service/redundancy)
• Full uniform provided including work boots
• Discounted Health insurance through Southern Cross
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Competitive starting salary of $61,345 plus Kiwisaver. In addition, you will be compensated for the hours of work required to do this role with an allowance of $15,475 per annum.

What you’ll be doing | He aha tāu e mahi ana

Once You’ve Successfully Completed Training You’ll Be

• Facilitating passengers and goods in and out of Aotearoa, note taking, writing reports and entering information into our electronic systems;
• Questioning passengers and undertaking activities such as searching baggage;
• Processing passengers through Customs, this might have you sitting in a booth for long periods of time or standing up for long periods of time assisting passengers;
• Ensuring passengers meet immigration requirements and knowing when to escalate situations.

What you’ll need to be successful | Ko ngā mea ka hiahia e koe kia angitu te haere

• Great people and interpersonal communication skills (including good written skills)
• Able to work a rostered shift pattern (including unsociable hours) as a core part of the role
• Ability to achieve and maintain an organisational security clearance*
• Have a good level of fitness and physical ability so you can complete the full range of duties in the role
• A full NZ driver’s license

(*) To work for the New Zealand Customs service, you must be:

A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the past 5 years and resided in New Zealand 5 years ago from the date of this application. You also need to be residing in New Zealand at time of this application;

OR a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in NZ at time of application but may have been absent from New Zealand for periods of six or more months within the past five years, preferably in one or more of the following countries: either Australia, Canada, UK or the USA. You will be required to provide overseas police certificates for these periods spent outside of New Zealand.

Working for NZ Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa

Customs welcomes applications from those who are able meet our citizenship/permanent residence and medical/drug test requirements. We aim to reflect the communities we work in and therefore encourage people from walks of life (and all age ranges) to apply.

You will need to have a background history (5 years continuous residency in New Zealand) that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service towards a recommendation of suitability for security clearance at a higher level.

Due to the nature of Customs work you must also have a clear Police record. Successful applicants will be required to pass a medical assessment and drug test.

How to apply | Me pehea te whakauru

Please apply online, we’re interested in your skills and experience and why you would like to work for Customs. We’ve got a couple of competency-based questions for you also.

You can apply online using the link below, we cannot accept applications directly. Please apply as soon as possible as we shortlist applications as they come in and may close this vacancy early once all places are filled.

If you are successful in being shortlisted we’ll be holding interviews in Queenstown on Thursday afternoon, 19th June. If you are unable to attend in person, unfortunately, we will not be able to progress your application on this occasion.

If you’d like to know more, please contact: [email protected]

Applications will close at 11pm on Wednesday, 28th May 2025.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.