Safety Health and Wellbeing Investigator | Christchurch

Full job description
Investigator – South Island Above Rail

Lead critical safety investigations across KiwiRail’s Northern Above Rail operations
Permanent role based in Christchurch
Strengthen safety performance, influence leaders, and drive meaningful learning from incidents

He whakamārama mō te tūranga mahi | About the role:
KiwiRail is undergoing significant transformation to modernise and grow our rail and Interislander services across Aotearoa. As our Investigator – South Island Above Rail, you’ll play a key role in strengthening safety outcomes across our operational network. Reporting to the GM Safety, Health & Wellbeing – Above Rail/Infrastructure, you will lead and support complex incident investigations, ensuring high-quality insights, robust corrective actions, and meaningful learning is embedded across the business. Working closely with operational leaders, SHW teams, and external stakeholders, you will help build investigation capability, influence safer behaviours, and support a proactive safety culture across Southern Above Rail operations.

What you’ll be doing:
Leading and supporting complex incident investigations, including significant and regulator-facing events
Identifying root causes and ensuring practical, high-quality corrective actions are developed and implemented
Supporting leaders with investigation processes, reporting, and continuous improvement actions
Using critical risk frameworks (including bowties) to analyse events and assess control effectiveness
Delivering training, coaching, and mentoring to build investigation capability across the business
Auditing investigation quality, evidence management, and compliance with standards
Contributing to risk identification, trend analysis, and continuous improvement of safety practices
Supporting incident response, including on-call requirements and engagement with regulators and emergency services
Producing clear, concise investigation reports and insights for senior leaders and executives

Ngā pukenga e rapu nei mātou | What you will bring:
Experience in incident investigation within a safety-critical or operational environment
Strong understanding of safety, health & wellbeing practices and risk management principles
Experience using investigation methodologies, including root cause analysis and human factors
Ability to analyse data, identify trends, and produce clear, practical investigation reports
Experience engaging and influencing internal and external stakeholders, including regulators and contractors
Strong communication skills with the ability to engage at all levels of the business
A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with high attention to detail and sound judgement
Ability to coach, mentor, and build capability in others

You’ll also bring:
Willingness to travel and participate in an on-call roster
Ability to respond to incidents outside normal working hours
Strong stakeholder management capability across complex, unionised environments

Nōu te rourou | What’s in it for you:
Competitive salary plus 4% KiwiSaver contribution
Discounted medical insurance and staff travel benefits
Access to the NZ Rail Staff Welfare Trust
Ongoing development and career growth opportunities
A chance to contribute to a nationally significant organisation
A supportive, safety-focused and collaborative work environment

Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to make a difference?

If you’re an experienced investigator who thrives in complex, operational environments and is passionate about improving safety outcomes, we’d love to hear from you.

Bring your expertise, curiosity, and drive to help KiwiRail deliver Stronger Connections for a Better New Zealand.

Applications close: Thursday 9th of July 2026

Applicants must hold New Zealand residency or citizenship.
KiwiRail is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences—because together we are stronger.