Central Processing Officer, Āpiha Whiriwhiri Āheinga - Central Processing Unit, Rotorua

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Date: 5 May 2026

Location: Rotorua, NZ

Company: Ministry of Social Development

 

Central Processing Officer, Āpiha Whiriwhiri Āheinga – Central Processing Unit, Rotorua
Ministry of Social Development

 

  • Permanent, Full time 37.55 hours per week - Multiple vacancies
  • Location: Rotorua
  • Salary band: $61,466 - $73,903 dependant on skills and experience
  • Tentative start date: July 2026

 

Rotorua offers an exceptional lifestyle, combining a welcoming community with a uniquely stunning natural environment of geothermal landscapes, lakes, and forests. It’s a place where a relaxed pace of life meets endless outdoor adventure. Rotorua is enriched by a deep connection to Māori culture, where traditions, language, and community values are part of everyday life.

 

Central Processing Officers have a unique role in supporting New Zealanders that touches the lives of most people at some point in their journey with the Ministry of Social Development. We do a lot of different things, and we're proud that we play a very important role in people’s lives every day.

 

This is an important role. Every action you take impacts lives. Simply put, people count on us. We help New Zealanders become safe, strong, and independent. 
 

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

 

You’ll help many people every day by delivering an end-to-end service including the assessment, processing, and review of client information. You’ll provide essential financial assistance support for clients and their whānau. In addition to your processing responsibilities, you’ll engage in client service through outbound phone calls. Your excellent conversational skills will enable you to complete outbound calls and can talk to MSD clients.


  
Our team is responsible for many different work areas such as the processing of online income declarations updating clients’ change in circumstances, managing requests for information from other government agencies like IRD & NZ Police, processing reviews, and processing online applications for income support. 


  
We provide a positive and progressive work environment, where we all support each other to achieve excellent outcomes for clients. Our modern training approach ensures you’ll receive plenty of support to succeed in your role.

What you'll need to succeed | Ko ngā mea ka hiahiatia e koe kia angitū

 

  • You're a fast learner who enjoys handling complex information.
  • You're professional, full of energy, and great at interacting and negotiating with clients over the phone, always keeping their needs in mind. Your ability to lead conversations with empathy and sensitivity will contribute to creating a positive experience for clients.
  • Success-driven, you love getting positive results. Using computer systems comes easy to you, and you're happy to take responsibility for your work and help your team succeed.
  • You're open to change and like to learn from it, which makes you a flexible person.
  • You're confident working with financial information and are accurate when entering it into computer systems.
  • You work efficiently, accurately and can make good decisions.

Position Description

 

A copy of the position description can be found here: Central Processing Officer position description

 

Information Session - Wednesday, 13th May 2026:


There will be an information session run on Wednesday 13th May at 5.30pm at 1207 Pukuatua Street, Rotorua.


This will be an opportunity to learn more about the Central Processing Officer role as well as an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the role. Participants wishing to attend the information session must register in advance.

 

Please register your interest by emailing: Hannah.Jew001@msd.govt.nz

 

What's in it for you | Nōu te rourou

 

  • $400 Vision care subsidy service towards your costs of eye tests, glasses, and contact lenses.
  • Accident insurance coverage for MSD staff.
  • Capability development framework to support your career aspirations with us.
  • Staff discount on Southern Cross Health Insurance.
  • Lots of practical wellbeing support, like Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). As our vision is to have a workplace where everyone has a sense of purpose and feels supported.
  • We support our people to engage in Te Reo and tikanga Māori and will recognise an employee’s competence in Te Reo by payment of an allowance (based on proficiency).

 

Work Hours and Location:

 

You’ll work 37.55 hours across 5 days per week, with varying start times:
 

  • Monday to Friday: Between 6:55 AM and 10:00 PM
  • Saturday: Between 7:55 AM and 6:00 PM (typically reserved for voluntary overtime based on business needs).

 

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

 

To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV and complete the online application form.


 
You do not need to submit a cover letter. Instead, you’ll be asked to respond to three questions as part of the application form (each with a 1500-character limit):

 

  1. What are your key strengths and skills that you bring to a working environment? How could these be applicable at MSD?
  2. Describe how you learn necessary procedures and policies that you need to be successful in a new role? How do you then retain and apply what you’ve learned?
  3. What skills do you have to be able to complete tasks both independently and in team environments?

 

Internal MSD Employees - please apply through your myHR portal at work.  This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate. 

 

Recruitment and Selection details:

 

Due to the expected high volume of applications and recruitment timeframe, we’ll be shortlisting continuously as applications are received. To maximise your chances of being considered, we recommend applying early. Please take the time to thoroughly complete the application questions and ensure your CV is up to date.

 

  • Applications close: Midnight, Sunday 17th 2026
  • Recruitment and Selection process: Shortlisted candidates will complete a short online video assessment. Candidates who are successful at this stage will progress to an in-person Interview.
  • Assessment Centres and Interviews: Completed by early June 2026.
  • Tentative start date: July 2026.

 

To be eligible for this position, you must be a New Zealand or Australian Citizen or a New Zealand Permanent Resident at the time of application.

 

All applications must be made online.  If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz

 

Salary range: $61,466 - $73,903
 

The starting salary within this range will depend on relevant skills, experience, and other factors.

 

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.