Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
About Us
What is the most important thing in the world, it is people, it is people, it is people
He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
WorkSafe New Zealand/ Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa, is the primary workplace health and safety regulator – our vision is that everyone who goes to mahi (work) comes home healthy and safe. Our kaimahi (employees) are passionate about our vision and embrace and demonstrate our Mātāpono WorkSafe Values through the mahi they do:
- Whakakotahi – we're united in a strong purpose
- Kōrero mai – we engage meaningfully
- Tiakina mai - we're entrusted with a duty of care.
We offer a range of benefits including:
- Five weeks annual leave
- 15 days sick leave and
- Learning and professional development opportunities
There are a growing number of employee led networks to promote the goals and needs of our diverse communities, such as our Rainbow Network, Pacific Network, Women's Network, and Tū Rangatira Māori Network.
About your team / Ko te tīma
WorkSafe | Mahi Haumaru is a Crown Entity responsible for administering and enforcing the Health and Safety at Work Act and other health and safety legislation. The Legal team provides the quality, in-house legal services that WorkSafe | Mahi Haumaru needs to perform those functions effectively. We are a busy, tight-knit team that works collegially, professionally, and to high standards.
About the role / Ō te tūranga
You will be responsible for providing high quality, timely, accurate, and practical legal advice (formal and informal) in a dynamic context primarily in relation to WorkSafe's investigations. The role will also see you acting as counsel for WorkSafe in its litigation, including appearances before the District Court nationwide in the conduct of WorkSafe prosecutions.
This role will suit someone who is seeking an opportunity to join a friendly and professional team that supports WorkSafe in achieving its vision of ensuring that everyone who goes to work comes home healthy and safe.
It will suit a lawyer who thrives on variety and challenge and enjoys working collaboratively with staff across an organisation.
What You'll Do/ Ko tōu ake mahi
- Provide written and oral legal advice, guidance, and support to WorkSafe on matters associated with the legislation that WorkSafe enforces (including prosecution decision-making) and on operational matters generally
- Draft legal documents, including Court documents
- Act as counsel for WorkSafe in respect of its litigation activities
- Deliver other legal services that support the achievement of WorkSafe's strategic objectives
- Contribute to the development of others in the team including through knowledge sharing, mentoring, training, and peer review
- Instruct external legal counsel, as required
What You'll Bring / Ko ngā pukenga ōu
- Litigation experience (including criminal litigation) ideally from within a similar complex regulatory environment
- Experience operating in an in-house legal environment
- A passion to make a difference in health and safety
- The ability to build strong internal and external relationships
- A current practising certificate
- A level 2 (or higher) Prosecutor's Classification Scheme classification (or the ability to obtain this)
- Relevant tertiary qualification in law
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
Salary range / Awhe utu
As part of our remuneration framework the full salary range for the position is from $138,259 to $182,456, and our expected starting base salary for the right person is from $138,259 to $152,991. Note: KiwiSaver/SSRSS employer contribution is additional too/on top of your base salary.
How to apply / Me pēhea te tono -
Click the apply link, complete an application form and submit a copy of your CV and cover letter.
For further information please contact careers@worksafe.govt.nz with any queries, or to find out more about working for us, go to Careers | WorkSafe.
WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and welcome and encourage applicants from all walks of life. We value the experience your point of difference could bring to us.
Please let us know if there is any support we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you. We look forward to reviewing your application and getting to know more about you.
Applications close on Tuesday 2 September 2025