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Principal Prosecutor

• Based within the Remote Services Team (PPS)
• Permanent – Full Time (Multiple positions)
• JR 5856788

E tῡ ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā.

Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Are you a highly experienced and respected prosecutor, skilled in managing the technical elements of complex prosecutions and confident advocating in a courtroom? Are you committed to excellence? Do you relish the opportunity to mentor and support others to develop their skills?

Police Prosecution Services (PPS) is seeking to appoint three Principal Prosecutors who will play a critical leadership role across the motu. These roles are suited to senior criminal law practitioners who bring strong technical expertise, sound judgement, and the ability to lead by example in both courtroom advocacy and professional conduct.

Principal Prosecutors provide specialist advice and advocacy on complex and significant prosecution matters and are available to prosecute the full range of cases requiring PPS representation. Central to the role is mentoring, advising, and supporting less experienced prosecutors to lift capability, promote consistency, and enhance the overall quality of prosecution services. Principal Prosecutors contribute to a strong culture of learning, professionalism, and continuous improvement across PPS.

PPS sits within the Resolutions Directorate, which enables the fair and effective resolution of criminal offending through the delivery of Police Prosecution Services and oversight of Te Pae Oranga and formal warnings. 

Drawing on their legal skills, knowledge, and experience, Principal Prosecutors contribute to the development and maintenance of PPS practices and processes, supporting Police’s delivery of a nationally consistent, high‑quality prosecution service. They work closely with Regional and District Prosecution Managers, providing leadership and expertise to support complex prosecutions across their region.

The roles are based within the Remote Services Team, with one position aligned to each PPS region:

• Principal Prosecutor – Northern
• Principal Prosecutor – Central
• Principal Prosecutor – Southern

Each role operates closely alongside the respective Regional and District Prosecution Managers across the region.

Key Accountabilities:

• Deliver high‑quality criminal prosecutions and legal advocacy, recognised by judges, justice sector partners and Police colleagues.
• Provide accurate, timely and well‑reasoned legal advice, including on complex, new or high‑risk matters.
• Make sound decisions on charge determination, evidential sufficiency, criminal liability and case progression.
• Identify and manage prosecution and legal risk, including negotiating, amending, substituting or withdrawing charges where appropriate.
• Prosecute matters across the District Court and Youth Court, including hearings, trials and other adjudicative forums as required.
• Uphold the highest professional and ethical standards, and ensure compliance with national standards, PPS policies and systems.
• Support, mentor and develop prosecutors by providing guidance, feedback, coaching and training.
• Contribute to prosecution capability by supporting training standards, professional development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with Police, justice sector partners, victims’ services and community stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to deliver a fair, consistent and high‑quality resolution service across all pathways.

He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring

To be successful in this role the Principal Prosecutor will have:

• Gained the title of Senior Prosecutor and made a significant contribution to PPS business as a high performing prosecutor.
• Proven depth of knowledge and experience of New Zealand’s criminal law and procedures of the criminal justice system.
• The potential to perform well in the position, given a reasonable period of time for familiarisation and/or training.
• Personal attributes and temperament relevant to the position.
• General health which will allow for the performance of all duties and functions of the position (for constabulary employees a current PCT is an indicator of general health)        

Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.

Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements

• Police Employees:  
  • Agree to enrol in a leadership programme at the advertised level, at a future date or
  • Have qualified under CEP or a previous Career Progression Framework at the level you are applying for.

• This role is based in the Remote Services Team within PPS. Some travel will be required
• While there are some flexibility considerations available with regards to the location of the successful applicant, there is a strong preference for it to be based within the applicable region for the role.

This role is Team Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements

To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:

https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/04-2026/principal_prosecutor.pdf

Mo tātou | About us

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.

Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways. 

The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:

Applicant Information Pack (External)

Tono ināianei | Apply now

If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing  and police vetting prior to any written offer being made.  

For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers 

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.  

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Tuesday 28th April 2026. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Talent Pathway Advisor zinta.walsh@police.govt.nz