Service Manager, Timaru High & District Court | Canterbury

Job Description

Are you a people-focused leader with a passion for delivering excellent public service?

Then come join us at the Timaru High & District Court and help us deliver people-centred justice services that make a real difference in the lives of New Zealanders.

Te Haeata/The Opportunity  

We are looking for a dynamic Service Manager to lead our criminal and family teams at the Timaru High & District Court.

This is a key leadership role within our Operations and Service Delivery (OSD) group, responsible for coaching and supporting staff, driving high performance, and ensuring consistent, quality service delivery across jurisdictions.

As a Service Manager, you will lead a team of eleven staff, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. You will also oversee day-to-day court operations, ensuring customers receive consistent, high-quality service.

This role may include holding statutory appointments such as Deputy Registrar of the District Court, and other delegated authorities under relevant legislation.

Please note the anticipated start date for this role will be early 2026.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience 

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Proven experience managing and developing staff capability through coaching and support.
• Operational management experience, ideally in a court, tribunal, or customer service environment.
• Strong leadership skills to motivate and lead teams to achieve targets and understand their contribution to the bigger picture.
• A track record of supporting and implementing changes to business and work processes.
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Resilience and confidence in leading in a public-facing role.
• Excellent communication skills and sound judgement.

Mō mātou/About us 

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 team in Timaru are a closeknit group who work together to support our judicial officers and provide a friendly service to court users. We place a strong emphasis on wellbeing, recognising the demands of our work and the importance of looking after one another.

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. 

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here 

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
• an online professional development portal
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks.

See our full range of benefits here.

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

Utu ā-tau/Salary 

The appointing salary for this role will be between $98,208 and $135,539 pro rata based on skills and experience.

Tono mai/Apply

To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website. You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV and cover letter.

Applications close on Sunday 23 November 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz

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