Prosecutor (6109399)
New Zealand Police · 5001+ employees
What the role involves
- Court advocacy
- Legal research
- File evaluation
What they ask for
LLB degree and ability to obtain a practicing certificate; must pass reference and vetting checks; right to work in New Zealand; willingness to travel for court demands.
- Bachelor's degree
- Professional licence or registration
About the job
Prosecutor Tairāwhiti
- Based at Tairāwhiti/Gisborne, Eastern North Police Prosecution Service
- Permanent– Full Time
- JR 6109399
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 was 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.
Key Accountabilities:
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
Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements
- You must have an LLB degree and have the ability to get a practicing certificate and provide copy of qualification eligibility.
- The successful applicant will be required to undergo a full reference and vetting check prior to any offer of employment being made.
- Must be prepared to travel where required to meet PPS court demands.
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/12-2025/prosecutor.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.
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.
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 will commence between $92,762 - $116,129 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role. 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.
Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Thursday 26th November 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 Talent Pathway Advisor zinta.walsh@police.govt.nz
Applying for this job
What to show on your CV
- It asks for this qualification: Bachelor's degree. Name yours exactly as it's awarded, with the year you finished.
- It needs a professional licence or registration. Put yours near the top, with its number if the profession uses one.
- For the work it describes, like "Court advocacy", give an example from your own experience, with a result you can talk about at an interview.
Our guides to the New Zealand CV format, cover letters and interview questions cover the rest.