Deputy Director, Office of the Chief District Court Judge | Wellington City

Job Description

Deputy Director, Chief District Court Judge's Chambers

Full time, Wellington

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

The Chief District Court Judge's Chambers (Te Whare) is seeking an experienced senior leader to join the team as Deputy Director.

This is a unique opportunity for a strategic and capable leader who thrives in complexity, brings energy and sound judgement, and delivers work that has real impact across the District Court of New Zealand.

We are looking for an accomplished people leader who sees the bigger picture while ensuring things get done. You'll build trust and capability in others, create clarity from complexity, and bring a solutions-focused mindset to challenges and opportunities.

The Deputy Director leads Te Whare's communications, governance and advisory functions, working closely with the Director and the District Court judicial leadership to shape priorities and translate strategy into delivery.

As a member of Te Whare's leadership team and the Director's 2IC, the Deputy Director plays a key role in building a connected, high-performing culture and strengthening the systems, relationships and ways of working that enable Te Whare to deliver well. The role requires a leader who can work autonomously, provide constructive challenge, and confidently lead through change and uncertainty.

Key responsibilities

The Deputy Director has overall responsibility for:

• Strategic advice and planning – Providing influential advice and leadership to help shape the strategic direction, priorities, and work programme of the District Court judicial leadership team.
• Communications and media - Leading strategic communications and media engagement to support the Director and District Court Judiciary, with a focus on long-term outcomes that enhance public understanding of the constitutional role of the judiciary and the principles underpinning New Zealand's justice system.
• Governance - Leading the governance function within Te Whare by ensuring judicial governance committees receive high-quality secretariat, advisory, and analytical support that strengthens governance processes and decision-making.
• People leadership – Leading, mentoring and developing a small high-performing team, building capability and fostering a positive team culture.
• Financial management – Ensuring effective financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and value for money.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we have outlined and you believe you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you!

• Senior leadership experience in a complex organisation, ideally within the courts or justice sector.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing high-performing teams.
• Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to tailor clear and concise messages for diverse audiences, and writing for online publications.
• Knowledge of current media practices and the components of effective communication.
• Experience supporting governance, communications, financial management and/or advisory functions.
• Sound judgement, discretion and integrity, particularly when working with sensitive information and senior stakeholders.

What you need to be successful

To succeed in this role, you will be a calm, credible and collaborative leader who can operate effectively in a complex environment and deliver results through others.

• Ability to build trusted and collaborative relationships with members of the judiciary, senior leaders and colleagues.
• Proven ability to lead through ambiguity, adapt to changing priorities and manage competing demands.
• Strategic thinking combined with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to quickly develop and apply an understanding of the judicial and legal systems.
• Political nous and the confidence to navigate complex and sensitive issues.

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 Chief District Court Judge's Chambers / Te Whare o Ngā Kaihautū Waka o Te Kōti-ā-Rohe o Aotearoa is a small, high-impact team providing administrative, advisory, operational and strategic support to the District Court Judicial Leadership team, the Kaihautū, comprising the Chief District Court Judge, Principal Family Court Judge, Principal Youth Court Judge, Chief Community Magistrate and National Executive Judge. Te Whare supports the Kaihautū to undertake their statutory and non-statutory functions and their overall leadership and administration of the District Court to ensure the delivery of timely, impartial and open justice.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture – Ministry of Justice 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 $149,972 - $193,782 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 15 October 2026; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.

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

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