Prosecutor

Company description:

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.

Job description:

Prosecutor - Tairāwhiti, it starts with you!

• Based at Tairāwhiti/Gisborne
• Office of Constable/Police Employee
• Permanent - Full Time
• NAV
• JR 5782840

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

NZ Police are offering an exciting opportunity to join the Police Prosecution Service (PPS) as a prosecutor in Tairāwhiti within the Gisborne PPS office. PPS helps to keep New Zealanders safe and feeling safe by holding offenders to account and supporting fair and effective resolutions in a timely manner.

As a PPS prosecutor you will gain a sound knowledge of prosecution processes and court practices and work closely with Police District Staff and Justice Sector stakeholders.

You will appear in the Gisborne, Wairoa, and Ruatoria District Courts, and Youth Courts, where you will prosecute a diverse range of cases in:

• Registrar's Lists
• Judge's Lists
• Community Magisrate's Lists
• Young Adult Lists
• Family Harm Intervention Court Lists
• Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Lists
• Sentencing Lists
• Case Review Hearings
• Judge Alone Trials

Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Marama

There is a strong focus in our courts on Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view) and Te Ao Marama. The Gisborne District Court is one of the first courts in Aotearoa New Zealand to adopt the Te Ao Marama model of justice instigated by the Chief District Court Judge. It is a justice system that uses plain language, is based on Tikanga Māori, kaupapa Māori, whanaungatanga and resolutions, so that everyone who comes to our courts to seek justice feels seen, heard, understood, and is able to participate in a meaningful way.

Responsibilities

Advocacy and Legal Submissions

• Court advocacy including both oral and written submissions
• Legal research
• Using critical thinking and problem solving skills to make sound decisions, including the ability to think on your feet and respond appropriately under pressure in a courtroom setting

Interaction and Communication

• Provides support and advice to New Zealand Police District Staff on Prosecution matters
• Communicates clearly and effectively with stakeholders and business partners
• Uses interpersonal skills effectively in both group and individual situations
• Liaises with victims and prosecution witnesses

Teamwork

• Works collaboratively with the PPS team to achieve PPS goals
• Demonstrates positive behaviour and attitudes that contribute to team morale and performance
• Uses initiative to assist other team members without the need for direction

File Evaluation and Determination

• Ensures prosecution files comply with approved national standards and Solicitor-General Prosecution Guidelines
• Provides independent review of evidential suffficiency and public interest in relation to charges before the court
• Identifies remedial work needed and initiates appropriate actions
• Engages in discussions with defence counsel about charge determination in a timely manner and in accordance with the Solicitor-General Prosecution Guidelines
• Escalates complex decisions to the District Prosecution Manager where necessary

Relationship Management

• Responds to all requests and inquiries in a professional, courteous, and timely manner
• Builds and maintains positive and constructive relationships with internal and external business partners including District Staff, Judiciary, Crown Solicitors, Court Staff, Legal Practitioners, Department of Corrections, Victim Support, Restorative Justice, Community and Iwi Service providers
• Meets obligations to victims as required by legislation and the Solicitor-General Proseuction Guidelines
• Provides appropriate feedback to the District Prosecution Manager

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.

About Tairāwhiti

Tairāwhiti is on the sunny East Coast of the North Island. We are blessed with some of the best swimming and surfing beaches in the country, plentiful kaimoana, and award winning wineries. We are a short distance from Te Uruwera National Park and Lake Waikaremoana. If you like the outdoors and work/life balance is important to you, along with a relatively cheap housing market, then Tairāwhiti is the place for you.

Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements

• If you are a previous sworn employee who is able to prove the skills, knowledges and experience (with examples) of prosecuting in a court environment, then you can apply as a Non-Constabulary employee
• 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 based in Gisborne. Some travel will be required

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:

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 starts from $91,844. Previous litigation experience will be taken into account regarding remuneration and Prosecutor Grade

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 Friday 3rd April 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 [email protected]