Legal & Research Counsel

Legal and Research Counsel

Permanent Full Time Position and Fixed Term Position

Auckland

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

We are currently seeking two experienced and proactive individuals to join our Legal and Research Counsel/Advisor team. One in a permanent, full time, role and the other in a fixed term role (parental leave cover).

This is a role where your enthusiasm, initiative and keen eye for detail will be key in providing timely, robust and accurate legal support to New Zealand's Coroners and the Coroners Court.

Primarily, you will be drafting Coroners' findings and recommendations.  In addition, you will be tasked with providing high quality legal and research support to the Coroners and the Coroners Court.  You will also assist Coroners with inquests.

In this role, you will be providing meaningful mahi and communication to our community members who are going through trying and difficult times.  You will help make New Zealand a safer society, build working relationships with a unique subset of judiciary and be exposed to a fascinating area of law and justice.

Duties include:

• Preparing initial drafts of Coroners' findings at the direction of Coroners and team manager.
• Undertaking legal research either at the request of the Chief Coroner or Coroners.
• Appearing in the Coroners Court as counsel to assist the Coroner, or as junior to counsel to assist, once valid practicing certificate is held.
• Assisting in the analysis of legislation and coronial and medical law.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

To be successful in the role you will have:

• A Bachelor of Laws degree (mandatory).
• Excellent drafting and legal research skills. Experience with legal drafting will be advantageous.
• Meticulous spelling, grammar and attention to detail.
• 1-2 years+ PQE.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Fantastic time and self-management skills, including experience working with legal deadlines.
• An understanding of Te Ao Māori, Te Reo Māori me onā tikanga.
• High level of resilience and ability to work with sensitive and traumatic material.

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we have outlined and believe you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you

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.

Our team consists of nine Legal and Research Counsels and a team manager, based across Auckland and Christchurch. We work closely together and are often involved in peer reviewing each other's work. As a team spread across Aotearoa, being tight knit is important and as such is something we take to heart.

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:

• 4.4 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 $73,634 and $100,846 based on skills and experience.

Tono mai/ 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 and cover letter.  Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Applications close on 15 January 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact