Junior Lawyer

NZ Ministry of Justice; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 67,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4.4 weeks holiday leave

Flexible work hours

Inclusive networks

Job summary

NZ Ministry of Justice – Public Defence Service (PDS) Tauranga invites applications from a motivated junior lawyer aiming to advance in criminal advocacy within a strong development program. You will be admitted to the NZ Bar (or within two months) and demonstrate passion for criminal justice while thriving in a collaborative team environment.

The role offers a pathway within a well-respected regulatory body, with flexible benefits and a supportive, inclusive work culture designed to build

Qualifications

• Be admitted to the NZ Bar or will be within two months of application.
• Be passionate about criminal justice issues.
• Love working in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop credibility with judges and peers in the legal community.
• Be an integral member of a close-knit team and share ideas.
• Engage in the PDS professional development programme in criminal litigation.

Skills

NZ Bar admission

Team player

Criminal justice interest

Education

Law degree or equivalent

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

NZ Ministry of Justice – Tauranga, North Island

Have been admitted to the NZ Bar? Eligible for a NZ Law Society practising certificate? Have a strong desire to develop your career in the specialist area of criminal advocacy? Want to learn from the best? This is a truly exciting opportunity.

To be considered for this position, a copy of your academic transcript must accompany your application.

The Public Defence Service (PDS) Tauranga is looking for a motivated junior lawyer who wants to progress their careers to the next level. The PDS is well known for its comprehensive professional development programme in criminal litigation and is considered an excellent training ground and full of opportunities for a successful legal career.

To be successful you must:

• Be admitted to the New Zealand Bar or will be within two months of application.
• Be passionate about criminal justice issues.
• Love working in a team environment.

You will be developing an ability to build credibility with judges, peers and others in the legal community. As an important member of a close-knit team, you will enjoy exchanging ideas and brainstorming. You will have empathy and the ability to relate to a wide range of people. This is a challenging but truly satisfying job.

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

The PDS is part of the Ministry of Justice and the wider justice sector. The Ministry provides centralised business services, infrastructure, and support to the work of the PDS.

The Public Defence Service (PDS) provides high-quality legal advice and representation in a full range of criminal cases. Aimed at helping people access justice, the PDS promotes the values of respect, integrity, service and the delivery of excellent service to its clients.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.

We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:

• 4.4 weeks holiday leave
• flexible work hours where possible
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

The remuneration band for this role is $67,015 to $89,934 – while the appointing salary will be based on skills and experience, we are willing to pay higher in the band to attract strong candidates into this role.

Applications close on 21 September 2026; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.