Principal Instructor - Christchurch Women's Prison in Canterbury

An exciting leadership opportunity focused on empowering staff and embedding our Women's Strategic Plan.

Support women in prison to build valuable industry experience across kitchen, laundry, textiles, grounds, and asset maintenance.

Full-time permanent position, based at Christchurch Women's Prison.

Prison industries provide women in prison with valuable work experience, transferable skills, and meaningful engagement. They play a key role in supporting reintegration and increasing opportunities for successful employment upon release. Prison industries also deliver essential operational services, including catering and laundry, that support the day‐to‐day functioning of the prison. At Christchurch Women's Prison (CWP), prison industries are integral to supporting women to reclaim their mana and restore their place within their whānau and wider society. Through this work, we aim to break cycles of reoffending and enhance the wellbeing and safety of women, their whānau, and our communities, contributing to positive intergenerational change.

As a Principal Instructor at CWP, you will lead and support a skilled team of Instructors working across a range of industry‐focused areas, including laundry, textiles, grounds and asset maintenance, and kitchen services. The kitchen provides approximately 650 meals, three times daily, for both Christchurch Women's Prison and Rolleston Prison. Experience, skills, or knowledge within primary industries—particularly catering—will be advantageous.

We are seeking someone with strong, visible leadership and relationship‐building skills who can embrace and facilitate change and create an inclusive environment that delivers positive outcomes for both staff and women in prison. The role operates within the framework of the department's strategy and requires an understanding of how gender impacts outcomes. The Women's Strategic Plan provides a strategic approach to achieve Hōkai Rangi, in a way that works for women in our management and our staff.

By applying cultural and gender responsive lenses alongside a trauma informed approach, you will support consistent and effective practice, contribute to improved outcomes for women, and help embed a culture of gender‐responsive decision‐making across the organisation.

We would like to hear from those who possess the following skills/attributes:

• Proven leadership and people‐management skills, with the ability to motivate staff and promote team engagement.
• Strong critical thinking skills, with the ability to innovate, embrace change, and lead continuous improvement.
• Excellent relationship‐building capabilities, including experience managing commercial relationships and key stakeholders.
• Highly developed administrative skills, including experience with budget and resource management.
• An understanding of our strategy and the ability to apply these frameworks in practice.
• Experience in an adult learning/training environment (a 4098 qualification is desirable but not essential).
• Relevant industry experience within primary industries is desirable.
• Sound knowledge of Health and Safety requirements and safe work practices.
• Current and clean full drivers licence.

Our Industries operate 7 days a week. The hours of work for this role will be Monday to Friday between 6am – 6pm. Public Holidays with the possibility of some overtime or callouts may be required.

Instructors have the same classification as Corrections Officers and, as such, complete the same initial training courses. This will involve on-site training as well as residential training at our National Learning Centre in Upper Hutt, Wellington, to focus on the custodial elements of the position. The latter stages of the recruitment process involve pre-employment checks including a medical test, fitness test and police vetting. Please note – this Criminal History Check is exempt from the Clean Slate Act. Please ensure you declare all offences (even those outside of 7 years) in your application.

The starting salary for this role is $92,484 per annum and the full range is $92,484- $102,577. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Fitness Passport offering discounted gym membership (subject to availability in your area).

Eye exam & eyewear reimbursement for eligible staff (conditions apply).

Access to EAP & Staff Support Networks.

Subsidised medical insurance.

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our strategy.

We value 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.

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply 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 and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close on: Sunday 24th May 2026.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact southernrecruitment@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.