Registered Nurse Mental Health

Mo te tunga | 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 correctional 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.

Professional registration is required, applicants are asked to apply using the name that appears on their registration record with the relevant professional body. Please ensure your application details align with your registration to avoid delays in verification.

Download our job description from the job application page to find out more about the role.

Mou | About you

We are looking for nurses who can demonstrate:

• Recent clinical experience in either primary or secondary health care nursing.
• A diverse range of post-graduate clinical exposure.
• 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 Maori, whanau, 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.

Nga painga | The benefits

The full salary range is $77,289 - $108,874. Appointment and remuneration will reflect clinical competency, skills, and experience relevant to the role.

Ko wai matou | 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 Maori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whanau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hokai 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 inaianei | Apply now

Applications Close 11pm Sunday, 5 July 2026.

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.

If you want to find out more about a career with us visit our careers page.