Solicitor / Intermediate Solicitor at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara)

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Multiple Opportunities | Legal Services Unit

• Join a respected in-house legal team working on complex issues that matter to New Zealanders
• Opportunities at the junior and intermediate solicitor levels across litigation, legislation, employment law, and legal advisory work in a dynamic public sector environment
• Help shape legally sound and responsible decisions across one of New Zealand's largest operational public service agencies

Mō te tūnga | About the Roles

Whether you bring experience in, or an interest in developing your career across, litigation, legal advisory work, legislative development, or employment law, you'll have the opportunity to work on complex and meaningful issues that support the Department's strategic priorities. Across our teams, lawyers work closely with stakeholders throughout the organisation to provide practical legal advice, manage legal risk, and support effective decision-making.

We are a collaborative and high-performing team that embraces challenges, supports professional growth, and is committed to delivering high-quality legal services.

Litigation

• Managing and advising on public law litigation, including judicial reviews, civil claims, coronial inquests, and other tribunal and court proceedings.
• Providing advice on the exercise of public powers and matters that impact community safety.

Advice & Legislation

• Delivering practical legal advice across a wide range of public law and operational issues.
• Interpreting legislation, advising on policy, and supporting legislative development and reform.

Employment

• Providing strategic employment law advice to support a diverse, large and complex operational workforce.
• Advising on employment relations matters including investigations, disciplinary processes, organisational change, personal grievances, mediations, and employment litigation.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

To be successful, you'll bring:

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and eligibility to hold a New Zealand practising certificate.
• Experience providing high-quality legal advice, ideally within government, litigation, employment law, or a related legal practice area.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound legal judgement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to build effective relationships and influence across a diverse organisation.
• A collaborative mindset, resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning.
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within the public sector environment.

Ngā painga | The benefits

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to build your legal career in a fast-paced, purpose-driven organisation where your work will have a direct impact on outcomes for the public and individuals. Whether your expertise is in litigation, public law, legislation, or employment law, you'll be part of a supportive and experienced team that values professional growth, diverse perspectives, and making a meaningful difference.

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. Please indicate your preferred team area(s) in your cover letter: Litigation, Advice & Legislation, and/or Employment.

Applications close on: Monday 7th September

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

We are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this role. Unsolicited CVs submitted by agencies will not be accepted and no agency fees will apply.