Jobs in New Zealand

• Wellington Based
• Opportunity to help make a real difference
• No time recording or fee targets
• Plenty of people engagement and across a variety of areas of law
• Ongoing training and development
• Supportive team environment and management

The Wellington legal team at Oranga Tamariki is experienced, strategic, agile and focused on outcomes. An opportunity has arisen on a fixed term basis due to parental leave for a Solicitor to join our Wellington Regional Legal team until February 2026.

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

We put Tamariki first
We believe Aroha is vital
We respect the Mana of people
We are Tika and Pono
We value Whakapapa
We recognise that Oranga is a journey

We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.

Our Legal Services team has positions available for a Solicitor to join our dynamic and agile legal team. Previous experience is desirable but not required.

Successful candidates will ideally have experience or an interest in key work areas, including:

• Litigation, particularly Family Court litigation
• Risk management
• Providing advice to operational and frontline personnel

Applicants will be expected to provide advice in a range of areas of law. We provide strategic advice across all areas of our service.

Reporting to the Regional Legal Manager - Wellington and Upper South role, we have a preference that successful candidates will be based in Wellington.

The Wellington team is one of six front-line legal teams within Oranga Tamariki, focusing on supporting social work and proceedings in the Family Court. Working collectively, our lawyers support Oranga Tamariki to achieve the goal of all tamariki being in loving whānau and communities where Oranga can be realised.

• You will have been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand and have (or be eligible for) a practicing certificate;
• You are driven by a desire to ensure all tamariki are in loving whānau and communities
• You are committed to helping us honour our treaty commitments to Māori to improve long-term outcomes
• You thrive in a job where no day is the same but each day your mahi matters
• You are committed to continuing your own Te Ao Māori development and cultural competence
• You have an understanding of relevant areas of law and/or a genuine passion and interest to work in this area;
• You have excellent communication, digital and written skills;
• You are a 'straight up' person who is honest, transparent and keeps your word. You are a team player and enjoy collaborating with others;

We offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow.

Oranga Tamariki offers an impartial remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $77,000 and $86,000 per annum, dependent on experience.

Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address.

If you have any questions about this role, please contact info_recruit@ot.govt.nz

Oranga Tamariki is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role. We also support flexible working arrangements.

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.