Stephanie
Prosecutor – Whakatāne
Previously a Prosecution Support Officer (PSO) Stephanie originally hails from a background in adult education but always had a desire to be a lawyer but ‘life just got in the way’. While working in a property valuation firm, a criminal lawyer friend encouraged her to apply for a position as a PSO. Having started her law degree, with a goal to complete it by the age of fifty, she juggled her degree with the role supporting the PPS team as a PSO for three years. Her role as a PSO was very helpful to her study gave her a head start once she was appointed as a prosecutor with PPS. “I got a really good inside look into using NIA (the Police database to manage information needed to support operational policing), probably more than prosecutors will ever have, but also learnt about filing of charges and better understanding the elements of charges, which helped with law school assignments”.
While the transition from PSO to prosecutor was made easier by having some knowledge of the organisation and prosecution environment, it was still a challenging transition. “It doesn’t matter how much I prepare; I am always learning and refining my own work habits to improve outcomes. You certainly get better at it, it’s a growth thing”. Her growth has been enabled through courses, run online during Covid-19, and the support of colleagues in her team.
Stephanie enjoys the work she has done managing the diversion portfolio, providing an alternative resolution for criminal offending rather than proceeding through the formal court process. “I think it’s a great scheme”. Stephanie reflected on the competing interests of the court system “there’s obviously the challenge with available court time, and diversion has to be meaningful and have integrity, not just paying lip service to the policy”. One diversion case came to mind for Stephanie, as she thought of the opportunities that she has seen it provide to defendants: “He texted afterwards and thanked me, you know, I hope you don’t see me again, and I hope I never see you again”. Stephanie said as a parent to young adults she is aware how the role of the diversion officer can be significant: “you just wanted him to realise that there’s somebody that does actually care”.
Stephanie is also a keen promoter of frontline staff doing law degrees and answering their questions in her day-to-day job to support them as well. Stephanie noted that there are some great opportunities in PPS for constabulary staff to join PPS as prosecutors.
Sangeeta
Prosecutor – Manukau
Sangeeta grew up with an interest in joining the Police, due to the fast-paced, thrilling, and challenging nature of the role as well as the opportunity to keep communities safe. She was raised in a traditional Indian family: “there is a certain unsaid expectation in the community that you will pursue a career path in Medicine, Engineering or Law”. Having a background in drafting wills and handling deceased estates and conveyancing, she became a Legal Researcher and Registrar in the District Courts, which confirmed her interest in the criminal area of law. Sangeeta joined PPS in 2023 “The role of a Police Prosecutor was the perfect mix. Whenever I heard about crimes like burglaries or assaults, I could only hope that the prosecutor cared enough to do what was required and did their best to ensure a just outcome. The penny then dropped that I wanted to be THAT prosecutor. That desire eventually sparked my passion for prosecution, a role that I now embrace wholeheartedly. I only wish I had pursed this path sooner!”
“Advocating in a trial and being in Court generally is my favourite part of the job. I specialise in family violence cases and regularly appear in the Family Violence specialist Court. I enjoy the rehabilitative jurisprudence approach to the law. I have a keen interest in this space, particularly the cultural dynamics that are involved and how we navigate through them. I have found in my time as a Prosecutor in this Court, that isolation and community stigma in ethnic communities often act as a deterrent to seeking help. Navigating through the cultural dynamics and advocating for voiceless victims is a rewarding part of the role. I find great fulfilment in contributing to solutions that help reunite families and create positive outcomes, while keeping the core Police values (of safer communities and preventing further harm) at the forefront. I aim to be an approachable prosecutor who is fair and pragmatic, collaborating with defence counsel as needed, to reach fair outcomes.”
“I am also one of our Liaison Prosecutors, a new programme that focuses on relieving the current pressure in prosecution services, decreasing the backlog of Court cases, and making improvements to case management and resolutions.”
“I have often heard that if you can work as a prosecutor in the busiest Court in New Zealand, you can do anything! I truly believe that now. The volume and variety of criminal cases coming through are phenomenal where negotiation and problem-solving skills are strengthened each and every day. The unpredictable nature of the courtroom ensures that no two days are the same, making each day both rewarding and challenging, with never a dull moment.”
“I work in an office that is beautifully diverse, with people who are extremely experienced and knowledgeable. We are a tight knit team and foster an environment where we all help each other grow.“
“The opportunities and skills I’ve gained as a Prosecutor are truly endless and I am grateful for a role where I can use my law degree and advocacy skills to make a meaningful impact.”
Justine
Prosecutor – Manukau
“Tēnā koutou katoa, Malō le soifua maua – My name is Justine and I’m a proud South Auckland Samoan working as a prosecutor in Manukau, since joining PPS in 2019 with a background as a treaty lawyer”.
“My passion is people. I became a police prosecutor because I wanted to work in a role and be part of an organisation where I could effect positive change and influence my community. It was important for me, as a traditionally raised Samoan and 3rd generation migrant to Aotearoa, to have a role that serves so many of my people so that they know they are supported and can feel safe knowing there are people who look like them in these roles.
What I enjoy most about being a police prosecutor are the incredible opportunities for development and growth as an officer of the court, as well as the potential to acquire the invaluable interpersonal skills required to deal with diverse people and our many stakeholders, which are applicable in whatever career path one chooses to pursue.
Through the various courses available through the organization, I have advanced my advocacy skills and implement these skills daily by appearing in different courts. I have also gained the ability to adapt when faced with time restraints and other pressures associated with a busy district.
A highlight in my career as a prosecutor has been being part of the transformative change in the justice system by appearing in one of our specialist courts. I appear regularly in the Family Violence Court providing a voice to our voiceless victims in this court. I am also part of a working group discussing initiatives to enhance PPS processes in line with Police’s PRIMED values, specifically our commitment to Māori and Te Tiriti.”
“I have had incredible support from NZ Police with my growing family. I have recently returned to work from maternity leave, and I was provided with so much assistance with returning to work. This is certainly an organisation that prioritises its people and the importance of family first.”
Victor
Prosecutor – Auckland
After hearing about PPS while at law school Victor joined PPS in early 2024, as his first job using his law degree. “It’s nice to be able to help the police and work with the police. Here we’re (PPS) quite integral to what they do, and it’s not just what’s happening in court. We get a lot of questions, so there is that sharing of knowledge. You get to use your skills outside of the court as well.“
Victor values the learning opportunities in his role as a prosecutor provided. “I've basically gone from knowing very little to knowing a lot, but still not enough, but I know that I’m constantly learning and I'm always readjusting”. Having plenty of time to learn in court helps: “You might have some trepidation on the first day, but you come back, you’re in one piece, you’ve done what you need to do, and you’ve got someone with you every step of the way. You grow in confidence 100%.”
Undertaking training courses run by PPS is something that Victor says ‘refines and fine-tunes’ his advocacy skills as a prosecutor.
The blended workforce of constabulary and non-constabulary prosecutors is a big asset for Victor in his team: “The constabulary prosecutors are great when you want to ask a question and really understand what frontline police do, the ins and outs and practical side of policing. Everyone in my team’s forthcoming with their information and if you don’t know something you can ask anyone. There’s such a wealth of experience and knowledge within the office.”
Victor particularly enjoys prosecuting judge-alone trials. “I really enjoy the trials. I guess it's so dynamic and the sense that each one's different and each one's going to throw something different at you.”
“If you enjoy court PPS is the place to be because you are in court more often than not. Your advocacy skills are constantly evolving in trials. You really get to do what you see on television, or you read in books. You're playing that game. You're put up against the fence. You're trying to prove your case and get a positive outcome and move on. I never saw myself sitting in an office and pushing paper all day. There is some of that like it's unavoidable. When I was looking into the job someone told me if you love being on your feet all day and talking the talk then this is the place for you. He wasn't wrong!”
While he loves the work, at the end of the day, the camaraderie of the team is what Victor values most about working in PPS: “We don't just support each other in what we do, but also how we do it, how it impacts on us because this isn't necessarily the easiest job or subject material that we deal with. It's nice to have people in the trenches with you who get it.”
Tim
Senior Prosecutor – Canterbury
Previously a criminal defence lawyer, Senior Prosecutor Tim was a pioneer when he joined PPS in 1997. “I was the first non-sworn police prosecutor appointed by New Zealand Police. It was 1997 and PPS was not in existence at that stage. Police prosecutors, at that time, were all police officers who had shown an interest in prosecuting or had been asked to perform the role. Generally, prosecutors had not had any legal training so it was thought that bringing some lawyers into the mix would be beneficial. The result we see today is that there is an excellent balance in PPS offices throughout the country between non-sworn lawyers and constabulary staff, many of whom have completed legal training.
For Tim, the work of a prosecutor is never dull: “Prosecutors enjoy a variety of work; not all of it is in court as office-based preparation is an important part of the process. Personally, appearing in court is my favourite part of the job. As a part-time playwright I enjoy the theatre of the court.”
The opportunity to provide a voice for victims is a key motivation for Tim: “I began my career as a defence lawyer, but I felt more of an affinity with victims, and wanted to play a part in having their voices heard. Joining Police and working in prosecutions enabled me to do that on a daily basis. The court can be a confusing place for the general public and if I am able to help demystify that for witnesses and victims it can be hugely rewarding and assists greatly in achieving the sorts of outcomes we are after.”
Jared
Senior Prosecutor, Waitakere
Jared originally joined Police to have a “real and robust career”, and his service reflects just that. Jared has spent time in traffic policing, general duties, community policing, youth aid, and communications work, before joining Waitākere PPS in 2015. With 34 years of New Zealand Police service, he has certainly achieved that goal.
Jared is currently a Senior Prosecutor holding the role of Alcohol and Other Treatment Court (AODTC) prosecutor in the Waitākere court. The AODTC is a therapeutic court within the District Court and takes a different approach to prosecuting than the standard prosecuting roles in the District Court. It focuses on treating that addiction issues that drive the repeated offending of defendants who choose to participate in the court: “Life in the drug court is different -we push the pause button, if you like, on the criminal side of things and we just focus purely on getting that person well, on addressing the addiction and the areas of their life which are problematic - anything from employment to education, to health, to dental, to getting the driver's licence, and obviously dealing with the actual addiction itself.”
Having spent four years prosecuting in the AODTC, Jared finds it really rewarding: “I've attended many graduations in that time. You see the person come into the court, basically at rock bottom. And 18 months- 2 years later, graduated from the court and an entirely different person. I love the fact that there is real, honest, meaningful genuine work going on in that court to make real change”.
“Having spent 34 years in police and having got all of the testosterone out of my system when it comes to policing, I've seen that whole cyclical thing all my career until I've come across a drug court and suddenly here's this model that actually changes people and fixes the underlying problem so that we make permanent or lasting change in these people so it very, very satisfying.”
Jared is hugely complimentary about the team he works with, valuing the contributions of his constabulary colleagues as well as the approach of his civilian lawyer colleagues. “I think there is massive value in having that mixed team. We each recognise and appreciate each other's skill sets and abilities and each other's roles. And we turn to each other and rely on each other on occasions and draw on those different skill sets.”
Jared also notes how family friendly PPS is, compared to other frontline roles enabling him to have a good work-life balance when needed, including some roster flexibility to be involved in musical theatre set-building in his spare time.
Jared also enjoys the challenge of prosecutions: “it’s a never-ending journey in terms of your learning. There's always changes in legislation to be thinking about. You can never stop refining the art of prosecuting (in PPS). I'm always learning and I'm always developing which is a healthy thing.”
Bronwyn
Prosecutions Support Officer (PSO) – Palmerston North
Bronwyn is one of our longest serving PSOs and has just over 32 years’ service with New Zealand Police. While she has been a PSO since 1999, she was previously a watchhouse keeper in a small station briefly, before becoming a District Licensing Clerk for four years, and a training clerk.
Every year PPS manages 190,000 new charges- that's a lot of files! PSOs are central to the role of ensuring files held within their office are ready for prosecutors to process. “The basic duties of his role are to prepare the daily court lists which may be 3-4 here per day, update all the files coming into the office, leaving the office, or changing dates, and to deal with all the emails in the office inbox. Prioritising workloads, complying with deadlines, decision making, and adapting to change are all required for this busy but rewarding job.”
When reflecting on the work she does, she has seen a lot of change. With her depth of experience and eye for detail she has been influential in ensuring changes made to the administration of prosecution files, both manually and electronically, are workable. “ I am very fortunate to have been provided many opportunities to develop within this role; including being part of the implementation team for a new computer sub programme (prosecution case), I have attended specialist courses at the Police College, and leadership courses in district, I have provided several rounds of national training and I am currently part of the current prosecution uplift programme reference group and a change champion to ensure that change is workable and implemented according to the plans”.
Bronwyn loves working in her provincial team in Central District: “I enjoy being part of a close-knit team, who get on well and work hard as a team to make a difference to those going through and involved in the criminal justice system. I also enjoy have ample opportunities to gain and share knowledge, and to learn new skills.”
With over 25 years working in the same role Bronwyn remains passionate about the value her role adds to PPS and the system as a whole:
“The highlight of this position is the difference I can make to the outcomes for victims, and the difference I am able to make to the people I work with; the District Prosecution Manager and eight Prosecutors. I know the extra duties I undertake to assist them are greatly appreciated. I enjoy using my organisation skills to manage my workload efficiently and am always willing to find time to train and mentor both other PSOs and prosecutors.”
Jess
Prosecutions Support Officer (PSO) – Auckland
Jess joined the PPS recently after seven years working in criminal justice, including working for a Tāmaki Makaurau Crown Solicitor’s office in an administration role.
“I feel comfortable working in this area and wanted to challenge myself.”
“I’ve always been interested in PPS. I’d worked closely with them and developed a good working relationship with the PSOs and saw it as a good segue into Police, and the team seemed to work well together.”
Jess has a huge admiration for the work of prosecutors she supports as a PSO “I used to see the Police prosecutors have 20 to 30 files and just go through them. It was like magic how they are on their feet all the time.”
Now working within Police, Jess was also surprised about the work undertaken on files by frontline officers in charge.
Working in one of PPS’s largest offices, Jess works in a team of two managing sentencing files. “Our focus is to ensure everything’s on the files, double-checking victim impact statements and reaching out to officers in charge, as well as managing submissions. It’s something new within our office and there’s a real ownership, so I can take pride in my work and ensure that it helps the prosecutors in court. It’s nice to get good feedback from them on how it helps them and that the hard work pays off.”
“My role is to support the prosecutors. I always like to go above and beyond. I know that at the end of the day these prosecutors are the face, they’re representing victims and the Police. I wouldn’t like to be dumped in the deep end so I do anything I can to help them.”
Jess noted that the Remote Services Team, a team of remote prosecutors who provide extra support in local offices when they are overloaded, has really helped lift work off the prosecutors in Auckland and ensure submissions are ready for the sentencing date. “The team has been really helpful to manage our huge workload and enabled us to focus on other files.”
Jess enjoys her work environment. “I really like the team that I’m in. We all support each other, and some days are harder than others, but it’s a nice team environment to be in, it’s that camaraderie where people do things for one another which is genuinely nice.” With less than a year in the role, Jess is also learning a lot about the charging process, working with the prosecutors and officers and is keen to keep on learning and growing in the role.
Holly
PPS Trainer - Wellington
Doing a law degree was never in doubt for Holly since the age of seven “My uncle suggested I might want to be a lawyer because I liked to argue my way out of trouble”. However, seeing TV representations of lawyers she was painfully aware of the focus on defence and civil law as she started her legal studies. “I started listening to what they were teaching and realised they don't actually tell you anything about the other side, or what it means to be a prosecutor.” With this in mind, when Holly stumbled upon a PPS internship in her last year of law school, she jumped at the opportunity to shadow a PPS prosecutor for six weeks which led to a fixed term contract in Manukau as a new graduate. The learning curve for Holly was steep. “I felt like a massive imposter and was overwhelmed, but at the time I joined there was a lot of seniority in the office which meant I had a lot of support, people I could trust and go to for guidance. This gave me the reassurance and confidence in my decision-making as I was developing as a prosecutor.”
Having prosecuted in Manukau and Porirua, Holly is currently in the role as a PPS trainer based at Police National Headquarters, supporting courses run at the Police College, developing online learning packages, and doing on-site personal training. “I remember what kind of support I had as a new prosecutor, and I aim to pass that on to new prosecutors who may be feeling overwhelmed. It doesn’t matter whether you come to PPS from a criminal defence or civil background, or as a new graduate; we will offer training and support to ensure new prosecutors are equipped or their new role within Police. My role as a trainer allows me to help shape that development.”
Some of the highlights in the trainer role have included developing an online video about the judge alone trial process. “It’s readily accessible to everyone in the Police, including frontline officers, to give them a heads up for what they need to do before and during a judge alone trial”. A package to support staff with managing the high-volume area of Excess Breath Alcohol (EBA) charges was another highlight: “It’s satisfying to put out a training document about important and common topics because in this case a lot of the newer prosecutors have never dealt with an EBA file before. For more experienced prosecutors, it’s their bread and butter, but for new, non-sworn prosecutors who don't have the frontline operational experience about the processes for an EBA it’s a valuable resource to help with decision making and prosecution procedures.”
Holly’s true passion lies with face-to-face training with new staff in training sessions held at the Royal New Zealand Police College or at their local office. “I loved being a prosecutor and I enjoy being a trainer because I like to take my passion for prosecuting and mix it with a trainee’s passion for justice which brings a little bit of life into what you're doing and makes learning new processes more engaging.” But’s it is seeing prosecutors grown and develop with her support that is a highlight for Holly. “When you spend some time with the inexperienced prosecutor and then you go back in a few weeks’ time to see how much they’ve improved based on your feedback that’s really rewarding”.
Grant
District Prosecution Manager (DPM) – Southern
Originally trained as a primary school teacher, Grant joined Police due to his deep-rooted belief in standing up for victims and giving them a voice. Grant started his time in PPS as a Prosecutor in 2003 and had some excellent frontline experiences to draw upon as a prosecutor. Having reached Senior Prosecutor level, he finally took the opportunity to relieve and was subsequently appointed a District Prosecution Manager in 2023.
“Before I was a prosecutor, I had been a sergeant in the general duties branch (now public safety team), a crash and crime investigator, as well as some time as officer in charge Community Services, looking after youth justice and the youth education programmes police was running, and being a Police representative on community panels. This set me up with a solid background in frontline policing and an appreciation for the realities of policing and the importance of working with our community partners.”
“The step up into the Senior Sergeant role is like no other Senior Sergeant roles in Police. My day can cover managing staff and ensuring we can meet court commitments with our staff. However, the part I really enjoy is being an advocate for PPS, and justice, but ensuring that my team and I are helping to put the best case before the courts. Having been in Southern District for a long time, and on the back of a long time on my feet prosecuting, a lot of the work involves meeting with staff in the Police leadership team, but also sector partners (including Department of Corrections, the legal fraternity, and other justice stakeholders).”
“The best part of my role as a District Prosecution Manager (DPM) is the people I work with. Our team is made up of talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, including both constabulary staff and civilian lawyers. Each bring a unique perspective and skills to the role, and I enjoy seeing how the team supports each other to make the best decisions about the cases they prosecute.”
“A career highlight for me has been serving as an advisor to the Kiribati Police Prosecution Service in the Pacific. This opportunity allowed me to travel to the small island nation and support their development as a national prosecution service. Witnessing their growth and progress has been incredibly rewarding and underscores the impact of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in building stronger justice systems and partnerships in the Pacific.”
“With a broad background in frontline policing, I had the advantage of a comprehensive understanding of the entire justice process, from investigation right through to prosecution and/or resolution. This experience provided me with unique insights into how cases are developed, evidence is gathered, and the challenges faced at each stage. It ensured a seamless connection between the investigative and prosecutorial phases, and fostered effective collaboration which in turn promotes opportunities for equitable and efficient outcomes. This holistic approach has shaped my role as a prosecutor and subsequently a DPM and highlights how rewarding and impactful a career in this field can be. My journey highlights how diverse skills and experiences can contribute to a rewarding and impactful career in prosecution.”
Karima
District Prosecution Manager – Auckland
“I left law school not really knowing what I wanted to do. I never thought criminal law would be my career path, but I did have a passion for human rights law. I started working at the court, first as a Court Support Officer and then as a registrar. It was in my role as a registrar that I got to watch police prosecutors in action.”
“I had discussions with the local District Prosecution Manager (DPM), applied for and was successful in getting a job at the Police Prosecution Service. I never looked back!”
“I love the varied nature of this job; no two days are ever the same. Every day is a new challenge for me, and I thoroughly enjoy getting my head around the different aspects of this role. To be a good prosecutor it is important to be dispassionate, fair, reasonable, and measured in your approach to the law.
Karima’s career in prosecutions has included lots of opportunities to prosecute in specialist courts that operate in her local court: “I have been a prosecutor for over seven years and have worked predominantly in family violence. What drew me to family violence was the rehabilitative approach to justice. I like that my role is to act on behalf of our victims, but also to think about the family unit as a whole and what will work best for them. I also work across Te Kooti o Tīmatanga Hou (The Court of New Beginnings), which is set up to assist the homeless community in Auckland, and in the newly established Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act Court. Working in all of these therapeutic courts has really given me a new perspective on litigation and the criminal justice system.”
“My passion for human rights law has not diminished and in a way a lot of what I do covers human rights. I have also found that I really enjoy advocacy and appearing in court.”
Most recently Karima has taken up the DPM role in an acting capacity: “This has given me the opportunity to step up and add management to my skills. This role has taught me a lot about liaising with both internal and external stakeholders and I have been involved in change processes and projects within the business. This has challenged me and taught me a lot about the wider aspects of the business.”
Karima is passionate about PPS and the opportunities it provides to keep learning: “Because the work for PPS is so diverse, I have found that I have learned a lot in a short period of time. Every day I learn more and just when I think I’ve seen it all, something new pops up and those challenges are what I love the most about this role.”
Peter
District Prosecution Manager (DPM) – Hutt Valley & Wairarapa
Hailing from the United Kingdom, Peter undertook his law degree with the intention of becoming defence counsel: “I was inspired by various movies and TV shows, highlighting the glory and adoration of being responsible for someone’s continued freedom.” His mother had also signalled that he was so pedantic with his thinking he should be a lawyer.
Peter initially started working in mergers and acquisitions, driven by higher pay and the opportunity to pay his student loans. Peter moved to New Zealand in 2006, and a chance meeting with a police officer in Auckland led to discussing the opportunities to work in PPS. His interest was piqued, by January 2007 Peter was off to the Police College to join as a recruit.
Peter joined PPS in 2009 after two years in frontline policing roles in Auckland, working beat section in Onehunga, general duties, and the Tactical Crime Unit in East Auckland. Originally a prosecutor in Porirua, Peter moved into a National Trainer role in 2012.
In 2017 Peter secured the role of District Prosecution Manager (DPM) in Dunedin, covering the Dunedin, Invercargill, and Queenstown offices. Peter took the opportunity to return to being a prosecutor in 2020 while supporting family through health challenges. Peter is now back in the Senior Sergeant role as a DPM based in Lower Hutt, covering the Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa with 18 staff.
Peter is very reflective on the frontline experience and how it has coloured his view as a prosecutor and his moral ‘why’ for joining police. He’s seen opportunities to blend his legal experience and to help the frontline to understand what makes a good file and what is required to support a prosecution. For Peter, it’s all about preventing further offending: “Unless PPS get a good platform to support a change, through getting everything we need from an enforcement and investigation team for a prosecution case, we don't have the opportunity to put an intervention in place in that person's life to make sure the offending doesn't happen again. Or to ensure that the person is given the tools they need to ensure that they and their family can lead a fulfilling and productive life. Frontline staff don’t want to keep returning to these addresses and see violence and children living exposed to that.” Peter’s current role enables him to help his team communicate the importance of good file quality to support the court process and to consider prevention opportunities. “The message that we are always giving is “It's not what we know, it's what we can prove” and what we can prove actually sits within a prosecution file and it's a very small document and a small synopsis of that person's life. Quite often just one day and that's what we're focused on. With the Solicitor-General’s Prosecution Guidelines, it's that impartiality and non-biased approach which always gave me my curiosity to find out more about the PPS.”
Some of the highlights of his work in PPS for Peter have been his contribution to project work, including the implementation of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011, to ensure there was an operational focus for prosecutors. He also sees huge opportunity with technology for PPS and has been involved in identifying opportunities and managing operational risks in the use of audio-visual links to manage prosecutions during the Covid-19 lockdowns, including using more electronic files. “My highlight is right here, right now, piggybacking off the back of what we have learned in Covid times, watching the efficiencies increase and the physical papers decrease with remote court participation”.