Hearing Manager at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara)

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Make a difference by putting your organisation and coordination skills to great use!
• Join a supportive and collaborative team with the opportunity to build valuable experience within the justice sector
• Permanent role based in Wellington's CBD

'Kotahi anō te kaupapa, ko te oranga o te iwi' – ‘There is only one purpose to our work:  the wellness and wellbeing of our people.

Providing quality support services to the New Zealand Parole Board, Hearing Managers play a key role in ensuring the Board, victims and those appearing before the Board can have trust and confidence in the hearing process through effective coordination, accurate record management, and professional administration.

The New Zealand Parole Board (“the Board”) is an independent statutory body that makes public safety decisions about the managed release of people in prison subject to sentences of more than two years.

The Board also has many other functions. These include considering compassionate release applications, and imposing conditions for people subject to extended supervision orders. The Board comprises about 40 members, made up of current or former judges who act as panel convenors, and community members.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As our new Hearing Manager, you'll play a critical role in supporting the New Zealand Parole Board's decision making process. You'll coordinate parole hearings, manage complex information and work closely with Board Members and a wide range of stakeholders to ensure hearings are conducted efficiently and professionally. This includes communicating confidently and empathetically with victims, Board Members and other key stakeholders.

You'll enjoy the diversity of duties with tasks that include but are not limited to:

• Case management, ensuring files are accurate and up to date. This part of the role involves  managing complex case information, coordinating hearing documentation, and maintaining accurate records with a high level of attention to detail.
• Hearing management, facilitating the running of parole hearings in person at prison sites or via MS Teams from the Parole Board offices. Working closely with Panel Convenors, Board Members, Counsel and people appearing before the Board.
• Stakeholder liaison, communicating with multiple stakeholders who are interacting with the New Zealand Parole Board on Board-related matters. Communicating with victims of crime through face to face, phone, or email interactions. Confidence in all communication methods is essential.
• Travel, the role involves travel to prison sites around the country to support Board hearings.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

With your natural can-do attitude, you will quickly identify, address, and resolve the needs of the Board to support the smooth running of hearings.  You will demonstrate competency in the MS suite of applications, including MS Teams, Outlook and Excel.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Resilience when dealing with challenging situations, there will be times when you are working with sensitive information and communicating with victims of serious crime.
• A high level of integrity, with the ability to manage confidential and personal information appropriately.
• Strong organisational skills, some of our processes are repetitive, but you'll be able to manage conflicting priorities and move from one task to another quickly without compromising quality.
• A willingness to learn, maintaining up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, Board policies and practices, and cultural competence working with Māori, Pasifika and other cultures.
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• A commitment to personal and professional development, participating in professional supervision and regular training.

This position is based in Wellington.  A full New Zealand driver licence is required as regular travel to prison sites throughout the country will be necessary to support Board hearings.

Ngā painga | The benefits

We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make Ara Poutama Aotearoa a great place to be. These include:

• Flexible work hours and options where possible.
• Career progression opportunities and access to study assistance.
• Access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks.
• Health and wellness benefits including vaccinations, eyewear and discounted health insurance.
• Retail store discounts with Macpac, eBikes, Noel Leeming and more.

The midpoint of the salary range is $79,597 and the full range (85%-120%) is $67,658 - $95,517 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Mō mātou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and addressing the overrepresentation of Māori in the corrections system. 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 with our work.

Applications close on: Sunday 18 October 2026, 11pm NZST.

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