Summer Intern - PDS Manukau (3 months fixed term)

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

This a unique opportunity for law students with a criminal law focus in their penultimate year of study. Gain experience and knowledge while working alongside experienced criminal defence lawyers in a supportive environment.

Your key tasks will include:

• legal research
• drafting documents
• file organisation and administrative support
• With client permission, you may also have the opportunity to observe client interviews and court appearances

This position is based out of our Manukau office.

There are positions also available in our Auckland, Hamilton, Hawkes Bay, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch offices. These are advertised separately.

**You can only apply for one location.

To be considered for this position, a copy of your academic transcript must accompany your application.

He pūkenga tou/Skills and Experience  

We will consider applicants who are:

• law students in their second to last year of study (due to graduate mid-2025 or the end of 2025)
• studying at a New Zealand university
• available for the whole period of the internship - 18 November to 7 February 2025
• genuinely considering a career in criminal defence law
• eligible to work in New Zealand

Given the busy and sometimes challenging work environment, we are also looking for candidates with proven communication and relationship management skills. You must be a versatile self-starter, service-focussed and able to manage a wide range of tasks.

Ko wai mātou/Who we are 

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to working together for a fair and safe Aotearoa.

The Public Defence Service (PDS) is part of the Ministry of Justice and the wider justice sector.  The Ministry provides centralised business services, infrastructure, and support to the work of the PDS. 

The PDS provides high-quality legal advice and representation in a full range of criminal cases. Aimed at helping people access justice, the PDS promotes the values of respect, integrity, service and the delivery of excellent service to its clients.

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. 

Utu ā-tau/Salary

The appointing salary for this role will be $54,343 per annum (pro-rated for the duration of the fixed term).

Tono mai/How to 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, cover letter and a copy of your academic transcript.

Applications close on 8 April 2024; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in.

Applicants can expect to hear from us within four weeks after the advertising closes. 

For more information about this programme, please see here. If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz