• Join a high performing legal team that embraces challenges, tackles complex issues, and enjoys working together in a time of innovation and evolution
• Bring your legal expertise and relationship building skills to our growing litigation team and work on a wide range of litigation matters involving Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections
• Advise our large operational organisation with a unique role in New Zealand’s public life, to make good decisions and learn from its challenges

NGA PUKENGA ME NGA WHEAKO | SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Extensive experience in litigation and public law, ideally with 8+ years’ post-admission experience in government legal work.
• Proven ability to lead complex legal matters, provide strategic advice, and manage legal risk in a dynamic operating environment.
• Strong advocacy, legal reasoning, and problem-solving skills, with a practical and solutions-focused approach.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and supporting other legal professionals, and contributing to team capability.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills, with a track record of engaging effectively with senior stakeholders, external counsel, and across the justice sector.

MO MATOU | 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 Maori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whanau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hokai 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.

MO TE TUNGA | ABOUT THE ROLE

The Legal Services Unit works to identify and manage legal risks so that Ara Poutama can achieve its goals to improve public safety, reduce reoffending and reduce overrepresentation of Maori. United by a strong set of values, we are reflective, insightful and proud to work in the justice system. We are always thinking about how we can make improvements to the way we work, how we support our colleagues and make more impact in our organisation.
Solicitors in our litigation team manage legal claims and proceedings, and we aim to ensure that we identify opportunities to strengthen process and decision making along the way.
As a Principal Solicitor, you will take a leading role in this work, providing expert legal advice on a wide range of litigation matters including judicial review, civil claims, coronial inquests, and proceedings before Tribunals and Courts. You will also advise on post detention orders and the exercise of public powers that have significant impact on the people we manage and on community safety.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the Department’s core outcomes while supporting the development of others in the team. You will help shape legal strategy, mentor and supervise solicitors, and contribute to a collaborative and high performing environment within a purpose driven public service.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Extensive experience in litigation and public law, ideally with 8+ years’ post-admission experience in government legal work.
• Proven ability to lead complex legal matters, provide strategic advice, and manage legal risk in a dynamic operating environment.
• Strong advocacy, legal reasoning, and problem-solving skills, with a practical and solutions-focused approach.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and supporting other legal professionals, and contributing to team capability.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills, with a track record of engaging effectively with senior stakeholders, external counsel, and across the justice sector