Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
Te Haeata/The Opportunity
The Public Defence Service (PDS) is looking for a motivated, highly accessible National Public Defender who will be responsible for implementing and ensuring an effective and efficient legal service whilst providing leadership across the business. The National Public Defender role has three main elements:
- Providing day-to-day operational leadership of the OPDs
- Determining and driving a key focus on national consistency; and
- Engaging in key external relationships to support delivery of an improved legal service.
Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience
No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we have outlined and believe you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you!
To be successful in this role, you will:
- have an understanding and appreciation of cultural issues and concerns in particular Tikanga Māori
- have an appropriate law degree and current NZ practising certificate
- be a legal aid provider with criminal provider approval level 3 at a minimum
- be able to build and maintain a range of effective business relationships within and across an organisation
- have a willingness to travel to other offices.
Your work experience shows:
- high level management and leadership skills and experience
- proven experience in developing people leadership skills in staff and teams
- strong people and communication skills
- ability to prioritise and flex when under pressure or juggling multiple priorities
- sound ability to critically analyse data and information.
Mō te tīma/About our Team
At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The PDS is part of the Ministry of Justice and provides high quality, independent criminal defence services, in a full range of criminal cases, to legally aided clients and duty lawyer services in 10 major metropolitan centres throughout New Zealand. This includes 15 District Courts and their related High Courts, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the Parole Board.
Aimed at helping people access justice, the PDS promotes the values of respect, integrity, service and the delivery of excellent service to its clients.
Utu ā-tau/Salary
The appointing salary for this role will be between $176,308 and $244,038 based on skills and experience.
Tono mai/Apply
To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website. You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV and cover letter.
Applications close 6 July 2025; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.
If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz
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