Registered Nurse - Arohata Prison

Marketplace; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 77,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections) Wellington invites a Registered Nurse to join our prison health team at Arohata Prison. You will provide comprehensive primary health care within a corrections setting, applying clinical skills across physical and mental health, education, and emergencies.

This permanent role emphasizes cultural responsiveness and Māori health equity. Applicants must hold NZ Nursing Council registration and a current Annual Practising Certificate, with at least

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of recent clinical nursing experience in primary or secondary care.
• Current Nursing Council of New Zealand registration and Annual Practising Certificate.
• Commitment to Māori health, equity, and culturally responsive care.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive range of primary health care services within a prison health centre.
• Assess and manage individuals with physical and mental health needs.
• Respond to emergencies and provide acute care as required.
• Deliver health education and preventive care to residents.

Skills

RN registration

Emergency care

Triage

Cultural competence

NZ Nursing Council

Education

Bachelor of Nursing

Job description

# Registered Nurse - Arohata Prison at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara)## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role* Enjoy genuine work-life balance, diverse practice, and career growth* Develop skills in various health areas, from mental health to emergencies* Join us at Arohata Women's Prison in Tawa, Wellington**Mō te tūnga | About the role**Our Nurses benefit from a genuine work-life balance, avoiding night shift work while engaging in a diverse range of practice settings. They operate in an environment that not only supports them but also provides professional career opportunities. If you are seeking a rewarding and challenging work environment, possess adaptable clinical skills, and demonstrate strong organisational and communication abilities, a career in nursing at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections) might be the right fit.Working in our prison health centres presents nurses with unique opportunities to develop and apply their skills across a broad spectrum of clinical areas. Daily responsibilities involve providing a comprehensive range of primary health care services, assessing and managing individuals with various health needs, including physical and mental health, substance abuse, health education, and responding to emergencies while offering acute care.**Mōu | About you**We have a **permanent** opportunity for an experienced **Registered Nurse at Arohata Prison** who can demonstrate:* At least three years of recent clinical experience in either primary or secondary health care nursing– accident and medical, ED, general medical or surgical and acute mental health clinical practice experience would be highly valued.* A diverse range of post-graduate clinical exposure.* A demonstrated commitment to Māori health and equity.* The ability to assess and respond effectively to emergency situations.* A strong motivation to continue learning and advancing professionally.* A non-judgmental approach.* Experience in triage, which is considered desirable for these roles.As the successful candidate, you will hold registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and hold a current New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate.Your role requires a foundation in strong cultural competence, encompassing an understanding of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application, along with cultural knowledge and experience in working with and for Māori, whānau, and iwi.Experience, qualifications, and registration in New Zealand is required. Preference will be given to candidates who have proven experience working within the New Zealand healthcare system, hold relevant New Zealand qualifications, and are currently registered with the appropriate regulatory bodies. This will ensure a smoother integration into our workforce and a deeper understanding of the local context and standards of care. You should ideally have current CPR certification.If you meet these criteria, we encourage you to apply and join our team, contributing to the healthcare environment.**Ngā painga | The benefits**The full salary range is $77,289 - $108,874 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.**Mō mātou | About us**Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections) Pae Ora leads the delivery of patient-focused primary health and mental health care services to tangata within corrections facilities across Aotearoa.Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.You can find out more about us here.**Tono ināianei | Apply Now**Applications Close: **Wednesday, 18th November**To apply and view the position description, click the application link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered.When applying, submit a tailored CV/Resume and Cover Letter describing your motivation for joining our department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.*Please note due to Christmas and New Years shut down periods, the start date for this role is early 2027.*If you want to find out more about a career with us visit our careers page.**We are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this role. Unsolicited CVs submitted by agencies will not be accepted and no agency fees will apply.**## Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details| | || --- | --- || Employer: | Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections) || Location: | Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara) || Position type: | Permanent || Category: | Health || Date listed: | 05-Nov-2026 || Salary range: | $77,289 - $108,874 || Closing date: | 18-Nov-2026 || Reference: | NZ/1956240 || Attachment: | Registered Nurse - Job Description.pdf (PDF, 169KB)Position DescriptionRegistered Nurse - Job Description.doc (Word, 141KB)Position Description || File links: | || Website: | |Note: You may be redirected to the employer's careers website.