Communicator - Trainee

Police; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 64,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shift work incentives

Free onsite parking

Job summary

New Zealand Police is seeking a Trainee Communicator based in Paraparaumu to join a busy 24/7 call centre frontline. The role involves handling diverse calls about emergencies and non-emergencies, requiring empathy and quick decision making.

You will undergo 15 weeks of training with a starting salary of NZD 64,161, rising to NZD 72,112, plus attractive shift incentives. Intakes commence from 13 January 2027; multiple positions available, full-time permanent roles with rosters and development

Qualifications

• Good level of computer skills and experience.
• Ability to remain calm and empathetic under pressure.
• Excellent written and spoken English; strong listening skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate as frontline call taker in a busy police call centre.
• Handle a wide range of calls (burglaries, scams, distress) and determine appropriate response.
• Work across IT systems, document interactions, and maintain accuracy under time pressure.
• Follow structured processes and contribute to team outcomes.

Skills

Computer skills

Empathy

Communication

Typing

Decision making

Job description

Career Opportunities: Communicator - Trainee (6047398)

Requisition ID6047398-Posted02/09/2026-Wellington-Permanent FT

105 Non-Emergency Communicators, the first line of New Zealand Police – better work stories.

• Based in Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast
• Training salary: $64,161 increasing to $72,112 after training (15 weeks, 3 days), along with attractive shift work incentives
• Permanent, full time shift work across 24/7 operating hours
• You will need to have a good level of computer skills and experience and will be required to complete an online psychometric test
• Intakes commence from 13 January 2027; multiple positions available
• JR 6047398

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

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Our busy call centre is the front line of our response to members of the public. You will receive a wide variety of calls regarding burglaries, scams, vandalism, people in distress and more, with notwo days being the same.
While this role is meaningful and rewarding, it is also demanding. You will be fully trained to alleviate a caller’s panic and stress, accurately identify the needs of your caller and ensure the appropriate Police response.

You will be part of a highly supportive and diverse team.NZ Police are committed to the development and growth of our people, with pathways to progress within the team and into many other roles in Police. Experience as a Police Communicator helps build a strong foundation for those aspiring to become a Police Officer.
This role is full time and you will be rostered on a six day on, four day off system with a pattern of two mornings, two day shifts, and two lates / night shifts followed by four days off. This roster covers24 hours a day, 365 days including public holidays and weekends.Additional 15% compensation is paid for hours worked after 6pm and before 6am.The Kapiti location also has free onsite parking.
Communicators need to:

• Communicate effectively by listening, showing appropriate empathy, and adapting your communication style to the situation
• Handle stressful and emotionally difficult situations with composure and a sensitive approach
• Listen to what people need, analyse information, act and achieve results through appropriate decision making and persistence
• Use a of variety software and equipment quickly to accurately complete tasks under time pressure
• Learn quickly and develop their capability whilst embracing feedback

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.

Great Communicators come from many different backgrounds including customer service roles such as hospitality and retail. What they have in common is:

• A passion and empathy for helping others in need
• Resilience and professionalism in the face of adversity
• Outstanding communication skills, including excellent written and spoken English
• An aptitude to think on your feet and use your questioning and listening skills to make sound decisions under pressure
• The ability to follow highly-structured processes and procedures, while navigating several IT systems at once as well as typing quickly and accurately – all while talking to the caller
• An understanding that our continuous shift work can conflict with family and social events

This role isIndividual Contributor/Emerging Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements

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.

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.

This advert is set to close at5:00pm, Wednesday 30 September 2026. Please note that this advertisement may be taken down if we receive a high amount of applications so we can review these in a timely manner.

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.