National Legal Counsel for PPS at NZ Police, Wellington

New Zealand Police is working with the community to make New Zealanders be safe and feel safe. With over 13,000 staff, we provide policing services 24 hours a day, every day. We operate by land, sea and air, manage over 860,000 emergency calls a year and are always actively preventing crime and crashes.

We’re working towards specific goals and targets that highlight our intent to work collaboratively with iwi and communities, other government sectors and business partners to deliver ‘Our Business’ and achieve long-term change.

National Legal Counsel – PPS!

• Based at – PNHQ, Wellington CBD
• Grade 21
• Office of Constable/Police Employee
• Permanent – Full time
• NAV
• JR 5894189

E tῡ ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā.

Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Ready to shape the legal direction of Police Prosecution Services nationwide and influence how justice is delivered at scale?

Police Prosecutions are responsible for prosecuting approximately 190 000 charges every year. You will work alongside another National Legal Counsel with a function to support our busy team of Prosecutors and our national office team, providing advice on a wide range of legal issues that arise with respect to this important work.

We are looking for a keen and committed lawyer to take up this full-time permanent role.

This is a unique role that offers a variety of interesting work. You will have the opportunity to provide authoritative legal leadership across Police Prosecution Services, supporting PPS to deliver a nationally consistent, high‑quality prosecution service. As a senior and highly experienced criminal law practitioner, the role focuses on strategic legal advice, setting and maintaining prosecution standards, and guiding responses to complex, novel, or high‑risk legal issues. Central to the role is influencing policy, practice, and system improvement. The National Legal Counsel works closely with PPS leadership, Police stakeholders, and justice sector partners to drive evidence‑based practice, improve justice outcomes, and strengthen confidence in Police prosecution decision‑making.

Located at PNHQ, this senior role reports directly to the Director: Prosecutions.

You will need to: 

• Be an experienced lawyer, familiar with the criminal law jurisdiction in New Zealand, experience as a prosecutor is preferable but not essential;
• Hold a NZ practising certificate or be able to obtain one without further study if appointed to the role;
• Be a NZ resident or citizen;
• Be confident to engage directly with colleagues, exercising good judgment and providing legal advice, with limited supervision;
• Be comfortable working in a busy work environment balancing competing demands;
• Be an excellent communicator, able to provide clear and concise verbal and written advice.

He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring

Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.

Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements

• LLB and a current Practising Certificate issued by the New Zealand Law Society (or an ability to obtain one upon request).

• Current CPK at the rank of the vacancy you are applying for (Constabulary only).
• For both Constabulary & Police Employees:  
  • Agree to enrol in a leadership programme at the advertised level, at a future date or
  • Have qualified under CEP or a previous Career Progression Framework at the level you are applying for.

This role is Individual Contributor/Emerging Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements

To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:

https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/05-2026/national_legal_counsel_for_police_prosecution_service.pdf   

Mo tātou | About us

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.

Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.

The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:

Applicant Information Pack (External)

Tono ināianei | Apply now

If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing  and police vetting prior to any written offer being made.  

For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers 

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.  

Utu ā-tau | Salary

This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence between $149,332 and $154,310 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.  

If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address and state your future commitments should you be successful in the next stage of the recruitment process. 

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Wednesday 20th May, 2026. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Joshua.Kinvig@police.govt.nz