Corrections Officer - Waikeria

About this role

Whakatauki | Mihi

‘Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari, he toa takitini, takimano kee'

‘My strength is not that of my own but that of many.'

• Help to shape futures & make a difference in people's lives!
• Embark on a challenging & rewarding career
• Free onsite parking and staff gym

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Corrections Officers work inside our prisons and are responsible for ensuring the security and wellbeing of people serving sentences or on remand. They induct people into their unit, help them to navigate life in prison, and supervise daily routines. By being prosocial role models, our Corrections Officers also play a significant part in creating change and making our communities safer.

The role of a Corrections Officer varies, including tasks across specialised units, security levels and site-specific activities.

All new officers attend an intensive, fully paid training programme to equip them with necessary skills required for the job. This involves an initial week-long induction at your allocated prison site, five weeks at our National Learning Centre in Upper Hutt, then a further five weeks back on site before graduating. From there the learning journey will be ongoing.

Our Corrections Officers are all part of a wider custodial team, and there is plenty of support and guidance available. You'll get opportunities for professional development, promotion, and the ability to gain a recognised qualification in Offender Management.

This role is based at Waikeria Prison. 

We have a short YouTube video outlining the role which you can watch by copying and pasting this link into your browser:  https://youtu.be/ACKg2RWNFwI?si=CFT1dIgw-66JteSD

Mōu | About you

We are looking for a diverse range of candidates, from different cultures with varied backgrounds and experience. We are interested to hear from people who:

• Possess solid interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly
• Can operate with high levels of integrity
• Have excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically
• Can operate effectively in a culturally diverse setting and have an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Be able to work rostered shifts across a 24/7 pattern including weekends and public holidays

 

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

To be eligible you need:

• The legal right to work in New Zealand or a Work Visa with at least 24 months remaining*
• A full New Zealand Driver Licence (or be eligible to obtain one)
• To declare any conflicts of interest and previous convictions**  
• The ability to pass a drug test
• To be medically fit for employment and complete a Medical Assessment and Physical Readiness Assessment

Our prisons operate 24/7 - applicants must be able to work shifts on a rotating roster. 

In line with our Strategy Hōkai Rangi, we are prioritising applications from people who have experience in a Kaupapa Māori or Pasifika environment and/or a willingness to learn. Please highlight any relevant experience and/or language skills in your application. 

Our standards are high so should you apply to join us you will undergo a comprehensive selection process that will assess you against our core requirements. 

* Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand. In line with Immigration New Zealand requirements, we are required to give priority to candidates who already hold this right.

**Note: The criminal history check is exempt from The Clean Slate Act. In other words, The Clean Slate Act does not apply to this position. Please declare all offences in your application.

Ngā painga | The benefits

The starting salary for this position is $70,019 per annum. Once in the role there are opportunities to increase your salary as you achieve national qualifications (Level 3 at $74,697, Level 3+ at $76,697, Level 4 at $80,213 and Level 4+ at $82,213).

We are also able to offer:

• 5 weeks annual leave
• $4000 shift allowance per annum, in addition to your salary
• 10 week fully paid training programme
• Clear pathway for career progression and continuous learning and development
• Free parking and on-site gym facilities
• A supportive team-environment
• Rosters provided 12 months in advance so you can plan your leave
• Health and well-being benefits including access to EAP, eye-care benefits, health checks and more

Mō mātou | 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 Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai 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.

 

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Only one application per candidate required to apply for a Corrections Officer role - Please do not create additional profiles to apply for more than one Corrections Officer position.  We will call you to have a chat with you about your preferred location.

Applications close on: 30 April, 2026.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact mahiwaikeria@corrections.govt.nz or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.