Corrections Officer - Auckland Region Womens Corrections Facility (ARWCF) - Waikato Hub at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), Waikato

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Corrections Officers – Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility (ARWCF) - Waikato Hub

• Help to shape futures & make a difference in people's lives!
• Embark on a challenging & rewarding career
• Free onsite parking

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Looking for a role where you can make a real impact?

We're hiring Corrections Officers to join a new women's unit in the Waikato region. It's part of the Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility (ARWCF), but the unit itself is based at Waikeria Prison — so if you're in the area, this could be a great fit.

We're keen to hear from people with a wide range of backgrounds. You don't need experience in corrections — what matters most is your ability to stay calm under pressure, communicate well, and treat people with respect. If you've worked in healthcare, trades, retail, education, or anywhere that's taught you how to work with others, you might be just who we're looking for.

This unit will support women on remand or with low security classifications, and the focus is on creating a safe, supportive environment that helps them move forward. You'll be part of a team that's committed to trauma-informed, gender-responsive approaches — and you'll be making a real difference every day.

If that sounds like something you'd be proud to be part of, we'd love to hear from you.

We have a short YouTube video outlining the role which you can watch by copying and pasting this link into your browser:  https://youtu.be/ACKg2RWNFwI?si=CFT1dIgw-66JteSD

Mōu | About you

We are looking for a diverse range of candidates, from different cultures with varied backgrounds and experience. We are interested to hear from people who:

• Possess solid interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly
• Can operate with high levels of integrity
• Have excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically
• Can operate effectively in a culturally diverse setting and have an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Be able to work rostered shifts across a 24/7 pattern including weekends and public holidays

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

To be eligible you need:

• The legal right to work in New Zealand or a Work Visa with at least 24 months remaining*
• A full New Zealand Driver Licence (or be eligible to obtain one)
• To declare any conflicts of interest and previous convictions**  
• The ability to pass a drug test
• To be medically fit for employment and complete a Medical Assessment and Physical Readiness Assessment

Our prisons operate 24/7 - applicants must be able to work shifts on a rotating roster. 

In line with our Strategy Hōkai Rangi, we are prioritising applications from people who have experience in a Kaupapa Māori or Pasifika environment and/or a willingness to learn. Please highlight any relevant experience and/or language skills in your application. 

Our standards are high so should you apply to join us you will undergo a comprehensive selection process that will assess you against our core requirements. 

* Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand. In line with Immigration New Zealand requirements, we are required to give priority to candidates who already hold this right.

**Note: The criminal history check is exempt from The Clean Slate Act. In other words, The Clean Slate Act does not apply to this position. Please declare all offences in your application.

Ngā painga | The benefits

The starting salary for this position is $70,019 per annum. Once in the role there are opportunities to increase your salary as you achieve national qualifications (Level 3 at $74,697, Level 3+ at $76,697, Level 4 at $80,213 and Level 4+ at $82,213).

We are also able to offer:

• 5 weeks annual leave
• $4000 shift allowance per annum, in addition to your salary
• 10 week fully paid training programme
• Clear pathway for career progression and continuous learning and development
• Free parking and on-site gym facilities
• A supportive team-environment
• Rosters provided 12 months in advance so you can plan your leave
• Health and well-being benefits including access to EAP, eye-care benefits, health checks and more

Mō mātou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Only one application per candidate required to apply for a Corrections Officer role - Please do not create additional profiles to apply for more than one Corrections Officer position.  We will call you to have a chat with you about your preferred location.

Applications close on: 30th January 2026.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact mahiwaikeria@corrections.govt.nz or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.