Probation Officer - Canterburyat Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections) -
- driven organisation that lives its values every day 'Kotahi anō te kaupapa, ko te oranga o te iwi'
- ‘There is only one purpose to our work: the wellness and wellbeing of our people.
Mō te tūnga | About the roleAs a Pīhāna Matakana (Probation Officer) for Ara Poutama Aotearoa, you will work alongside individuals in our care and their whānau to address the underlying causes of offending and support long-term change.
Grounded in the values of manaaki (care), kaitiaki (guardianship), wairua (spirituality), rangatira (leadership), and whānau (family), you will manage community-based sentences and orders, while also preparing detailed written reports for the Courts and the New Zealand Parole Board.Your contribution to public safety will be guided by a commitment to positive relationships, wellbeing and the restoration of mana.
You will support individuals to make meaningful changes in their lives, helping to reduce the likelihood of future involvement in the justice system.Respect, dignity, and cultural responsiveness will be central to your practice.All new Probation Officers are provided with role specific training to help them succeed in the role.
This includes one week Ara Tika (induction week) at our National Learning Centre in Upper Hut, followed by 25 weeks Pou Hapori Iho training pathway which is completed on site.To learn more about the role, you are welcome to attend one of our scheduled information sessions at the following locations:Annex Road Service Centre
- Tuesday 20th January 2026, 6 pm
- 7.30 pm, 209 Annex Road, Middelton, ChristchurchRawhiti Service Centre
- Thursday 22nd January 2026, 6 pm
- 7.30 pm, 296 Breezes Road, Aranui, ChristchurchEnsors Road Service Centre
- Saturday 24th January 2026, 11.30 pm
- 1 pm, 111 Ensors Road, Waltham, ChristchurchShortlisted applicants will be required to attend an assessment centre as part of the recruitment process which is scheduled for 11th February 2026.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experienceWe are seeking people who:Communicate clearly and effectively, with strong writing skillsAre confident and comfortable learning new systems and technologiesRelate well to people from a wide range of cultures and backgroundsAre resilient, empathetic and can remain calm in challenging situationsThink critically and make sound, informed decisionsWork collaboratively and contribute positively to team environmentsHave experience managing large caseloads (advantageous but not essential)To be eligible, you must hold a full New Zealand Driver Licence and have the legal right to work in Aotearoa New Zealand for a minimum of twenty-four months from your start date.In alignment with Hōkai Rangi, we welcome applications from individuals with experience in Kaupapa Māori or Pasifika environments, or those with a genuine willingness to learn and grow in these areas.
Please highlight any relevant cultural experience or language skills in your application.Ngā painga | The benefitsThe starting salary for this position is $70, 956
- $75, 947, with potential to increase to $91,307 over time based on meeting our progression criteria.We are also able to offer:5 weeks annual leaveLearning and development opportunities and a clear pathway for career growthA supportive team-environmentHealth and well-being benefits including access to EAP, eye care benefits, health checks and more.
- 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 NowTo 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: Sunday 1st February 2026.If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact southernrecruitment@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.