We have two vacancies (Northland and Waikato) for suitably qualified barristers and solicitors to be appointed as deputy district inspectors.

We have one deputy district inspector role available in Northland and one deputy district inspector role available in Waikato.  

District inspectors are statutory officers appointed for up to three years to uphold the rights of patients receiving compulsory care or treatment under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 (the Mental Health Act) and the Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017.

District inspectors monitor the quality and safety of mental health and addiction services, investigate complaints, and conduct inquiries related to the care and treatment of individuals.

Upon selection, new district inspectors will initially hold the position of deputy district inspector for their first term of appointment. Deputy district inspectors have the same powers, duties, and functions as district inspectors, and act under the direction of the Director of Mental Health and the Director of Addiction Services.

The Ministry of Health expects district inspectors to spend up to one-third of their full-time practice carrying out the role. The Ministry also expects district inspector to work as part of wider regional teams and as a national caucus.

Appointments are made by the Minister of Mental Health on the recommendation of the Director of Mental Health and the Director of Addiction Services.

Applications close at 5.00 pm, Friday 28 March 2025. We anticipate that the shortlisting process will be finalised by early April 2025, with appointments beginning in May 2025.

You must address the key appointment criteria in your application. All applications should include a curriculum vitae and must address your suitability to be appointed, based on these key criteria.

• Legal knowledge and experience.
• Mental health knowledge, including knowledge of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 Act.
• Communication skills, including the ability to communicate well with legal and medical professionals, as well as people receiving mental health services.
• An empathetic and sensitive attitude to the experiences of mental health consumers.
• Cultural awareness, sensitivity, and knowledge.
• Regional and collegial engagement.

You must be a barrister or solicitor with a current practising certificate and have an interest in the mental health area.

You will also be required to:

• Provide two written references that address the key appointment criteria. These two referees should be available to provide verbal references.
• Declare relevant criminal convictions.
• Declare any potential conflicts of interest that might arise if appointed as a deputy district inspector.

For more information on conflict-of-interest considerations, please refer to the Public Services Commission’s Board Appointment and Induction Guidelines, available at www.publicservice.govt.nz.

Send your application to mentalhealthadmin@health.govt.nz.

If you have any queries, please contact mentalhealthadmin@health.govt.nz.

Further information on the role of district inspectors can be obtained from the Ministry of Health website. Please refer to the online publication of the Guidelines for District Inspectors Appointed under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 (2012), and other online guidelines to the Mental Health Act and the Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017.