New Zealand Police Force Graduate Programs & Internships

Join a team with a true purpose, making a difference directly in NZ communities.

NZ Police is a hugely important organisation with circa 14,000 staff nationwide serving our communities through a variety of roles. Play a crucial behind-the-scenes role in the policing process, or use your communication and problem-solving skills, to impact other Kiwis' lives every day.

Our Vision (previously our mission) is to be the safest country in the world. Internationally, New Zealand is seen as a safe place to live, work and visit, but we continue to strive to do more. Our vision is about ensuring we continue to look ahead and think about what we can do today and going forward, to bring about a future where everyone in New Zealand can go about their daily lives without fear of harm and victimisation.

Our mission is to prevent crime and harm through exceptional policing. This is why we come to work each day – it's the Mahi we do, and do well, to make a difference.

Police operate 24-hours a day in a complex environment actively preventing crime and crashes. With around 14,000 staff, we work from community-based police stations and large policing hubs, operate on the land, sea and in the air, and respond to over 860,000 emergency calls every year.

Our organisation offers numerous opportunities to engage in interesting and challenging roles on and off the frontline – from specialist policing roles to IT, from analytical roles to HR – we recruit a wide range of skills and expertise. Our people come to work to make a difference in the lives of all New Zealanders, and we pride ourselves on being a highly trusted, highly accessible police service.

Our jobs are challenging and rewarding – this is why many people remain with Police throughout their careers. Police employees feel a real sense of personal achievement from their work because they know they are helping to make New Zealand's communities safer.

Recruitment Process 

• Step 1 - Applicant applies - application reviewed by Talent Pathway Team
• Step 2 - Talent Pathways sends psychometric testing
• Step 3 - If progressed, the candidate is sent a vetting form and drug testing information and is booked in for a phone interview and role play which is conducted over the phone with Talent Pathways.
• Step 5 – Panel interview
• Step 6- If progressed from Panel Interview, the candidate will proceed with Medical and References.

What do successful applicants have in common?

It takes a special person to do this role and great Police Communicators come from many different backgrounds. What they all have in common is:

• A passion and empathy for helping others in need,
• Great questioning and listening skills to make quick, accurate decisions,
• Ability to think on your feet; and
• Resilience and professionalism in the face of adversity.

Taking enquiries through a variety of channels you'll make people safe and feel safe, and in so doing build trust and confidence in New Zealand Police by making every contact count.

To learn more about what we're looking for check out our website.

Remuneration and Career growth overview

While this role is meaningful and rewarding, with a highly supportive environment, it's also the start of a career. In addition to a competitive salary, NZ Police are committed to ensuring quality people stay and develop, with structured pathways into many other roles, including a police officer.

Training salary: $53,783.00, and then $61,057.00 upon training completion 
Shift work: Permanent, Fulltime
Multiple start dates throughout 2022 with multiple positions available