Director - Te Kura Kaiwhakawā/Institute of Judicial Studies

Te Haeata/The Opportunity Te Kura Kaiwhakawā/the Institute of Judicial Studies (Te Kura) is responsible for the development and provision of continuing education services and resources for the New Zealand judiciary. Workload pressures, legislative and other change, and fast-evolving technologies present both ongoing challenges and new opportunities for a judiciary crucially dependent on the services provided by Te Kura.

The Director role is a unique and exciting opportunity to lead Te Kura, and its small but talented team, through a fast-changing judicial education environment. It will require an innovative, future-focused mindset able to support an increasingly diverse cohort of judges to perform their role.

Te Kura is governed by a cross-jurisdictional board with an involved executive committee. The Director will work with the board chair, the committee, the Director of the Office of the Chief Justice and senior Te Kura managers, alongside a range of judicial and educational stakeholders, to:

• lead the operation of Te Kura's core services
• navigate opportunities provided by new technologies and evolving possibilities for the delivery of judicial education and aligned resources
• ensure these are responsive to the direction of the Board
• work towards implementation of Te Kura’s strategic goals
• work closely with, and enjoy the confidence of the judiciary, including its senior members
• manage the ongoing professional development of the Te Kura team
• build on team vision and unity
• manage the resources of Te Kura effectively to ensure they are directed appropriately, and deliver services within budget
• develop and reinforce key relationships that enhance the work done by Te Kura, including liaison with Heads of Bench, educational leaders, and heads of similar offshore institutes; and
• work collaboratively with the Director of Te Tari/Office of the Chief Justice, and with the Director of the aligned Pacific Justice Sector Programme to maximise work programmes synergies.

This is a Wellington-based role and is a three-year fixed-term appointment.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• a tertiary qualification in law or alternative relevant discipline
• experience working in professional education, justice sector or legal profession
• proven ability to lead, inspire and manage small teams in complex and exacting environments
• experience of working at a strategic level to develop new initiatives and manage their implementation
• experience in the application of new technologies in sensitive environments
• experience in developing and managing relationships at a senior level; and
• a track record of successful collaborative leadership

Mō mātou/About us

Te Tari Toko i te Tumu Whakawā / the Office of the Chief Justice is a business unit of Te Tāhū o te Ture | Ministry of Justice that supports the Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal and Chief High Court Judge in their leadership and administrative responsibilities. Te Tari has oversight and responsibility for the resources required for the discharge of these responsibilities and is a conduit through which judicial perspectives on the justice system can be coordinated and communicated.

In recognition of the fundamental importance of education and development to all Judges, but especially the Chief Justice, Te Kura Kaiwhakawā | Institute of Judicial Studies (Te Kura) sits within Te Tari. Te Kura is responsible for the professional development and provision of continuing education activities and materials for the New Zealand Judiciary.

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

• 4 weeks holiday leave (Perm)
• 22 days holiday leave (FT)
• 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 $214,708 and $226,440 based on skills and experience.

Applications close at 9am on Monday 1st September 2025.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Matthew Drake on Matthew.Drake@robertwalters.co.nz

Robert Walters endeavours to review all applications in a maximum of five working days. If you have not received correspondence within this timeframe please do not hesitate to contact Matthew Drake on +6444719709