Casual - Authorised Officer

NZ Police; Gisborne; On-site; NZD 75,000 - 79,000; Part time

Job summary

New Zealand Police in Wairoa is seeking a Casual Custody Officer to help manage the health and safety of detainees in custody and during transit. This role is based in Wairoa and involves supporting the Custody Unit and courthouse operations with dignity and respect.

You will need a full New Zealand Driver Licence, reside within 30 minutes of the Wairoa Police Station, be able to attend court fixtures, complete a pre-employment medical and fitness assessment, and participate in four weeks of

Qualifications

• You will use active listening and clear communication to gather information and manage detainee welfare.
• Resilience is needed to stay calm and de‑escalate in challenging situations.
• You will collaborate with external stakeholders to ensure care and support for vulnerable detainees.
• Adaptability is required in a fluid operational environment and to changing shifts.
• Ongoing training is a requirement for this role.

Responsibilities

• Uncover and collect information using active listening and communication skills.
• Remain composed and de‑escalate risk in adverse situations.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders to ensure appropriate care for detainees.
• Adapt to changing conditions while maintaining high professionalism.
• Commit to ongoing training and development.

Skills

Active listening

Communication

Resilience

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Fitness

Job description

New Zealand Police is working with the community to make New Zealanders be safe and feel safe. With over 15,000 staff, we provide policing services 24 hours a day, every day. We operate by land, sea and air, manage over 860,000 emergency calls a year and are always actively preventing crime and crashes. We’re working towards specific goals and targets that highlight our intent to work collaboratively with iwi and communities, other government sectors and business partners to deliver our business and achieve long-term change.

Custody Officer - Wairoa (Casual)

Based at Wairoa. Starting salary of $75,495.00 (pro rata). Be physically fit and able to complete a fitness assessment as part of your recruitment process. Casual Required to complete an online psychometric. Attend the NZ Police College in Wellington or Auckland for 4 weeks training (costs covered by NZ Police).

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

As a New Zealand Police Custody Officer, you will join our highly skilled and professional team to manage the health and safety of detainee's whilst they are in our custody and during transit. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Custody Unit based in Wairoa. As a Custody Officer, you will manage and maintain the welfare of people detained in our care across our Custody suite and courthouse in Wairoa. Through an empathetic approach, you treat everyone in a dignified manner regardless of their circumstances.

Key Accountabilities

• You will be able to uncover and collect information using your active listening and communication skills.
• You will be resilient when faced with adverse situations, maintaining composure, and working alongside team members to mitigate and de-escalate potential risk.
• You will work collaboratively with external stakeholders to ensure appropriate care and support for vulnerable detainees is available.
• In a fluid operational environment, you must be adaptable to change, remain vigilant to detainee needs and maintain high standards of professionalism that align with our business.
• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing training.

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

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

• Hold a full New Zealand Driver Licence
• Reside within 30minutes of the Wairoa Police Station
• Be available to work scheduled court fixtures in Wairoa, planned events and, where available, to work additional hours to support the Wairoa Police managing detainees.
• Be willing to complete a pre-employment Medical Assessment (including a drug test)
• Be physically fit and able to compete a fitness assessment as part of your recruitment process (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=cRgqAjTO_yw)

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.

Utu ā-tau | Salary

This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence between $75,495.00 and $78,910.00 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role and would be pro rata for a casual position. If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address and state your future commitments should you be successful in the next stage of the recruitment process.

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Thursday 5th November 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 [e-mail]

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.