Psychologist - Christchurch Regional Prisons

About this role

• Join a collegial, passionate team committed to psychological best practice and supporting your professional development at any stage of your career.
• Use your clinical skills and expertise in a diverse social service environment aligned with the Hōkai Rangi service pathway.
• Several positions available across multiple sites in the Canterbury region.

We're currently seeking qualified psychologists to fill multiple vacancies across our Christchurch regional prison sites. Each opportunity is outlined below.

Mō te tūnga | About the roles

Canterbury Area Group, Psychological Services. Based in one of our two team hubs, you will enjoy clinical and professional variety as you assist us in achieving positive outcomes.  Embracing the scientist-practitioner framework, we provide specialist expertise across a broad range of service areas that will match your clinical and professional leadership interests.  We are focused on assisting individuals to develop the awareness and skills to reduce re-offending, as well as engaging with diverse and integrated rehabilitation initiatives. Our team undertakes clinical assessments, treatment and specialised programmes, provides supervision, advice, and training within Corrections and allied agencies, consults to the Parole Board and Courts, and supports new service developments.

Canterbury Special Treatment Units (STU), Psychological Services. Based at one of our world class purpose focused treatment facilities you will be working within a collegial group of registered psychologists using evidence-based practice. Our service approach and the diversity in our client community ensure varied opportunities to develop and lead your rehabilitation expertise and practice.  As leaders in our field, you will receive excellent supervision, support, and have a clinical leadership presence.

Mātāpuna is a world class Special Treatment Unit for men with violent and adult sexual offending. Treatment is provided both as a group co-therapist and in individual sessions and is embedded within a focused therapeutic environment at Christchurch Prison. Our team undertakes clinical assessments and group treatment, provides supervision, advice, and training within Corrections and allied agencies, consults with the NZ Parole Board and the Courts, and participates in a range of service initiatives. We work in high intensity treatment environments that operate within a community of change setting and are involved in new projects, giving these roles ongoing clinical and professional variety, and leadership opportunities. Our community of change also benefits from increasing access to Kaupapa Māori processes and practices, through our Kaupapa Māori practitioner.

Christchurch Women's Prison (CWP) has established a dedicated on-site psychological service, designed to align with existing initiatives such as Hōkai Rangi and the women's strategy E rere ana ki te pae hou. In addition, in 2024, CWP opened the first Therapeutic Community (TC)/Special Treatment Unit for women in prison completing offence specific programmes. Within the TC, which is led by the psychology team, women complete their identified treatment and are supported by wrap around supports and the wider therapeutic community.

Psychologists work as part of the team and provide individual assessment and treatment, as well as delivering rehabilitation programmes based on a He Awa Whiria (braided river) approach—integrating Te Ao Māori and Mātauranga Māori alongside Western psychological frameworks. The team is based within the therapeutic community and works across different areas within the prison and the wider women's estate, offering psychological expertise, advice, and intervention as needed.

This is an opportunity to be part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes a Kaupapa Māori Practitioner and a Reintegration Coordinator. The service is built on a strong foundation of bicultural practice, and we welcome psychologists who are enthusiastic about contributing to this kaupapa. An existing understanding of Te Ao Māori and tikanga is beneficial, but just as important is a genuine willingness to engage and develop in this space.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

These professional teams call for someone who:

• Is reliable with strong communication skills.
• Has experience in risk assessment in a similar setting (desirable).
• Has a minimum of a master's degree in psychology and registration (full or intern) with the NZ Psychologist Board.
• Can demonstrate and commit to culturally responsive ways of working.
• Is an excellent problem solver with strong communication skills.
• Works well in a collaborative professional environment.
• Can demonstrate an understanding of Te Ao Māori/Tikanga Māori and bi-cultural practice.
• Has commitment to contributing to the outcomes of Hōkai Rangi.
• Wants to begin or progress their career in a development focused service.

In return our services can offer you:

• Vibrant supportive team cultures.
• Career-long professional development and supervision.
• An environment in which psychology informs organisational practices.
• A competitive salary and structured advancement opportunities.
• World class criminal justice psychology training and mentoring.

If you want to work for a service committed to using psychological approaches to achieve positive social outcomes that make our communities safer, visit our website and apply now.

Ngā painga | The benefits

The salary range for the role is $83,286 - $133,370. Psychologists also can work towards additional allowances and allocated professional development funding. We may also offer flexible and/or part-time options for working hours. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

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.

Applications close on 11pm Thursday, 17 July 2025.

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