Programme Facilitator - Waikato

Department of Corrections NZ; Hamilton; Hybrid; NZD 71,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Corrections NZ, trading as Ara Poutama Aotearoa, is seeking Programme Facilitators based in Hamilton to work with our management teams in prisons and in the community, delivering therapeutic programmes designed to address offending behaviours. You will facilitate sessions individually or with a co‑facilitator, using your experience to motivate change.

Applicants should have proven facilitation experience, strong listening and communication skills, and a commitment to working

Qualifications

• Experienced and trained facilitator with demonstrated experience in a similar role.
• Ability to actively listen and support individuals on their journey.
• Comfortable working with diverse backgrounds and cultures, including Kaupapa Maori practices.
• Willing to travel across the Waikato region as needed.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a range of clinically designed therapeutic programmes, with or without a co-facilitator.
• Collaborate with management and community teams to address underlying causes of offending.
• Motivate participants and support them to make positive changes in their lives.

Skills

Active listening

Communication skills

Maori culture knowledge

Diversity experience

Feedback receptiveness

Verbal communication

Written communication

Job description

Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi(My strength is not the strength of my own, but the strength of many). We're in the business of facilitating positive change. If that sounds like something you are interested in, please read on.

Full time Permanent Role. Based in Hamilton, with travel required at times across the Waikato region.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Our Programme Facilitators work with the people in our management within our Prisons and out in the community helping them to understand and address the causes of their offending to assist them to create crime‑free futures. They do this through delivering a range of clinically designed therapeutic programmes, either individually or with a co‑facilitator. We appreciate the different skill set within our team who come from different backgrounds, cultures, education, and experience, they all share the ability to motivate and work alongside others to support them to make positive changes in their lives.

Mōu | About you

We're looking for an experienced and trained facilitator; you may be someone who is considering a move to the mighty Waikato. You are someone who can actively listen and understand those we work with and are keen to help them gain insight into their harmful behaviours. To undertake this role, you will need to be comfortable walking alongside people on their journey and consistently reflecting on your own practice. You will have demonstrated experience in a similar role.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Are effective listeners and communicators and who can build strong positive relationships with participants and other stakeholders
• Have knowledge of, or are willing to learn about Maori culture, protocols and peoples and apply Kaupapa Maori practice in your work
• Have life experience that means you can work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and ethnic groups
• Are comfortable having their practice viewed and are receptive of regular feedback on their practice
• Have good verbal and written communication skills

Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen, New Zealand Resident Permit holder, Australian citizen or an Australian resident who holds a current Australian Resident Return Visa. Applicants must also hold a full NZ driver licence.

Utu ā-tau | Salary

The salary band for this role is $70,825-$89,406. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Mō mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa is a name that has been gifted to us and is our commitment to improving the oranga and safety of the people, whānau, and that of the communities we serve across the motu. As a values‑led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship) and whanau (relationships) to shape how we work and deliver the outcomes in our strategy - Hokai Rangi (https://arapoutama.page.link/Eit5).

Applications close 18 September 2026

If you want to find out more about a career with us, visit careers.corrections.govt.nz or email [e-mail]