Āpiha Whare Herehere

Corrections Officer

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Making lives better. Keeping you safe.

We're looking for more good people to join our whānau and help us achieve and deliver our mahi - Kotahi anō te kaupapa: ko te oranga o te iwi There is only one purpose to our work: the wellness and well-being of people.

The world of Corrections is largely hidden away and most people haven't considered what it might take to become a Corrections Officer. While we may not always be visible, we play an important role in keeping our communities safe, while helping people in prison get the help they need. 

It's a hugely diverse, rewarding and challenging mahi. We invite you to discover if you can help make lives better and keep everyday New Zealanders safe.

The role

Make an ongoing impact

Corrections Officers are there with people in prison throughout their daily activities, providing ongoing opportunities to influence change and motivate positive decisions.

They supervise people's routines, help them to navigate prison life, escort them to hearings and appointments, and support them to engage in rehabilitation programmes.

Diverse environments

Our Corrections Officers work across a diverse range of settings, with different specialist units, security levels and site-specific activities all creating different day-to-day experiences. Some work in specific focus units such as our drug and alcohol treatment units, youth units, Pasifika units, Māori and Tikanga focused units, Mothers and Babies units and Special Treatment units.

Safety matters

Working as a close team, you'll play an important role in monitoring behaviour and maintaining safety within the prison. You'll patrol prison buildings and grounds, assess situations and take appropriate action.

Our Correction Officers are supported by other officers, and there is backup, training and equipment readily available for when they need it. From detection dogs to emergency response, negotiators to tactical operations – each situation that needs extra support has resource available. There are also opportunities to specialise in these areas as you progress in your career.

Hear from our team

Career progression & specialities

Jeremy's story - reconnecting with his roots

Why become a Corrections Officer?

What skills do you need?

What development opportunities are there as a Corrections Officer?

What shifts do you work as a Corrections Officer?

What you need to know

Time off & hours of work

5 weeks annual leave
Rostered rotating shifts including nights, weekends & public holidays

Salary

Starting salary $65,019, increasing as you achieve National Qualifications Level 3 ($69,697) and Level 4 ($75,213)
$4000 annual shift allowance

Training

10 weeks training through the Corrections Officer Development Pathway (requires some time away in Upper Hutt, paid for by the department).

Career development

Opportunities to gain qualifications in Level 3, 4 and 5 in the National Certificate for Offender Management and to branch into more specialised areas (eg prison negotiation, dog handling, site emergency response teams, etc)
Progression opportunities to Senior Corrections Officer, Principal Corrections Officer

Skills and experience

Strong communicators, team players, ability to motivate others, work well under pressure
Observant, alert, accurate

Full NZ Drivers’ Licence, or eligible to sit for your Full Licence if currently on Restricted
Able to be in NZ for the recruitment process

Environment

Based at one of our prisons around the country, which each have different units, programmes, and site specific activities.

Apply now, change tomorrow

Still thinking it over?

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Recent stories

Jeremy - reconnecting with his roots

  It’s unusual to find someone who has lived on prison grounds, without being incarcerated.

From writing about Corrections to becoming the subject matter

Michelle’s journey with Ara Poutama Aotearoa started with a story much like this one.

Where can your career go as a Corrections Officer?

For many people, becoming a Corrections Officer is just the start of their journey at Ara Poutama Aotearoa.

From flight attendant to Corrections Officer

  Going from being a flight attendant to a Corrections Officer might not be a career change that people would expect, but it was a leap that Carlin, now a Senior Adviser…

Reflections from our new recruits

Kyrah, Paige, Owen and Will are all recently graduated recruits. They share what they have learnt about the Corrections Officer role since they started - both through training and their time on the floor.

 

Police and Corrections join forces for training

Corrections staff were recently joined by teams from the New Zealand Police for Advanced Control and Restraint training at Rimutaka Prison.