About Verification Services
Verification Services is part of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
The Verification Services team makes sure New Zealand's animal products meet New Zealand standards and the standards of the countries we're exporting to. Our vets play a key role, working on the front line to ensure the welfare of animals, and that our food and animal products are safe and suitable. Verification Service vets work in both rural and urban areas throughout New Zealand where meat, seafood, and other animal products are processed and stored. Some of the work that they do includes:
- verifying and certifying animal products from 56 export slaughter plants and 3000 circuit premises, to meet NZ animal products' legislation, as well as the overseas market access requirements of over 100 export markets
- assessing the welfare of over 26 million livestock that are transported to these premises annually and enforcing animal welfare standards
- making animal health and welfare assessments of live animal imports and exports to and from New Zealand, to comply with our biosecurity and animal welfare requirements
- working with providers on-farm to ensure animal welfare is protected.
Full training is part of the package for Verification Services' vets
If you become a vet for Verification Services, you'll get formal training to help you do your job. You'll spend 6 to 8 weeks in full-time technical training before you are warranted.
Once you start work, you'll also get ongoing, on-site practical training, mentoring, and technical support. Plus, we provide a comprehensive in-service training programme to develop your technical and interpersonal and communication skills.
Watch 4 videos of MPI vets talking about their work – YouTube
Profiles of vets working at MPI
Two of our vets (Lana Back and Brandon Brooks) answer questions about their roles.
Lana Back
Lana Back is an MPI veterinarian, working in the Manawatū with the Verification Services team at a meat works. Lana joined the MPI team shortly after finishing her veterinary degree at Massey University.
What does your job involve?
"My job involves a range of tasks from audits and certification, to ensuring the plant is doing their best for the animals and food safety.
"Why I chose to work at a meat works as a vet is the most common question I get asked. Actually, a lot of what I do is about good practice for the animals. As a vet, I want to make sure that I am going to get the best possible outcomes for them."
What's the best part of your job?
"When I graduated, I came to MPI and became what's called a 'predictive.'
"This meant I initially got to work at different plants and meet lots of people. I really like working with different people and the flexibility in the job."
What challenges you about your job?
"When I first joined MPI, there were some differences from what we had learnt in vet school, especially when it came to anatomy. For example, thymus became sweetbreads, the oesophagus became weasands, and diaphragm became skirts.
"There were lots of acronyms to learn and heaps of new vocabulary."
Why might a vet choose to work at MPI?
"As a new grad, I think it's important to get good guidance and support. At MPI, they provide you with a thorough training schedule and the best support from our trainers. I was eased into the workforce."
What would you say to someone thinking about joining MPI?
"You won't regret it – 100%"
Brandon Brooks
Brandon is an MPI veterinarian based in Auckland. Originally from Virginia, USA, Brandon has been a vet for over 20 years. He's been working with MPI since September 2018.
What does your job involve?
"My job varies from day to day. That's part of the appeal – the constant variety. Part of my job is about verifying organisations and the other part is writing reports, answering queries, and keeping up with ongoing changes.
"Certification is a huge part of our jobs and making sure that we get it right when it comes to product traceability."
What's the best part of your job?
"I love the flexibility. I am an early morning person and like starting my day at 6am. You get a lot of trust in this role.
"I loved being a vet in a private practice, but I couldn't do another 20 years. With so many cases, I struggled to not let it weigh on me emotionally. It does take a bit out of you. It's just the nature of the job, and I admire those that do it.
"It was hard to let it go, but I just needed much better work-life balance. I don't miss the long days, weekends, and being on call at a clinic.
"There is some lack of awareness about what jobs are available to vets in government. There are a variety of roles for vets. To be honest, when I was in vet school, this would not have been the job for me at that point in my life. However, now it's where I want to be.
"In the future, I want to stay and work for MPI. There are opportunities to go overseas or be seconded for a year and try something else."
What challenges you about your job?
"For me, it's a delicate balance between being a verifier and helping our customers. We want to help them grow and do better, whilst protecting the public as well.
"It's not necessarily an adversarial role. What we do is encourage our customers to do better and comply. Everyone is different and it's about finding rapport. It's a win-win situation if our customers adhere to the regulations."
What was it like coming from overseas?
"I immediately felt like a Kiwi when I came here. I prefer the summer at Christmas now, though it took a while. People are really welcoming here, and I have seen most of the country at this point."
What would you say to someone thinking about joining MPI?
"It's a great place to work. You are well-supported and there is a huge variety of people working here.
"You learn so much about the primary industries and it could be the role you keep for life.
"If you like problem-solving, being in charge of your day, and a flexible work schedule, then this could be a role for you.
"I think it's a great ministry to work for and it's got great leadership, vision, and purpose. It requires some imagination and the ability to think on your feet. In that way there is some parallel to private practice. It's a very satisfying place to have a career."
Find out more about MPI vets and register your interest in becoming one
Who to contact
If you have questions about vets at MPI, email vetcareers@mpi.govt.nz
