Assistant Office Public Defender

Role overview

The Public Defence Service in Wellington is seeking an accomplished criminal lawyer to step into the Assistant Office Public Defender position. In this role, you will work closely with the Office Public Defender and contribute to both the leadership of the office and the broader Public Defence Service.

What the role involves

• Playing a key role in the office leadership group and supporting the wider service.
• Helping drive the organisation’s operational and strategic priorities.
• Providing legal services that are effective, timely, and efficient.
• Managing and guiding a team of lawyers on a day-to-day basis.
• Building important external relationships that help strengthen legal service delivery.

Skills and experience

To succeed in this position, you should have a strong commitment to criminal justice and bring the following:

• Well-developed leadership and team management capability, including coaching, mentoring, and training others.
• A genuine interest in criminal justice matters.
• A proven ability to create and sustain productive working relationships with colleagues and external partners.
• A PAL 3 or PAL 4 legal aid listing, or the ability to obtain one.
• Substantial experience handling a wide range of criminal cases in court.
• Comfort balancing leadership duties with active legal representation across a demanding caseload of PAL 3 and PAL 4 matters.

About the organisation

The Ministry of Justice, through Te Tāhū o te Ture, works to strengthen trust in the law in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Public Defence Service sits within the Ministry and the wider justice sector, delivering high-quality legal advice and representation across criminal matters while helping ensure access to justice. The organisation values respect, integrity, service, and excellent client care, and welcomes people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities, and religions.

Benefits and support

• Access to a well-established national training programme.
• Professional development opportunities, including conference attendance.
• A structured professional supervision programme.
• Company-provided laptop and mobile phone.

Salary

The annual salary range for this position is $149,972 to $206,570, depending on skills and experience.

Application process

Applications close on 9 July 2026. Applications may be reviewed as they are received, and interviews could begin before the closing date. Candidates are asked to submit a CV and cover letter through the careers website. Questions can be directed to recruitment@justice.govt.nz.