Director, Te Kura Kaiwhakawa Institute of Judicial Studies

Job Type: Fixed Term Full Time
- Category: Management
- Location: Wellington City
- Date Advertised: 15-AUG-25
- Job Reference: MOJ/1879695
- Job Title: Director, Te Kura Kaiwhakawa Institute of Judicial Studies
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**Director Te Kura Kaiwhakawā/Institute of Judicial Studies**

**Fixed-term, full time, Te Whanganui a Tara/Wellington**
- Lead the organisation at the heart of judicial education in Aotearoa New Zealand and help set the course for its future
- Strategic nous and proven leadership experience
- Exceptional relationship and people management skills
- Key role in Te Tari Toko i te Tumu Whakawā/Office of the Chief Justice

**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 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
- manager the ongoing professional development of the Te Kura team
- build on team vision and unity
- manager 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.

**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 developing and managing relationships at a senior level; and
- A track record of successful collaborative leadership.

**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.

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.

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.

**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:

- 22 days holiday leave
- 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 an