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).

District Inspectors may also be appointed to perform duties under the Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003 and/or the Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017.

 Their responsibilities are to monitor the quality and safety of mental health services, investigate complaints, and conduct inquiries related to the care and treatment of individuals.

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 inspectors to work as part of wider regional teams and as a national caucus.

 We welcome applications from those whose district inspector appointments are due to expire, and those who are keen to take up new challenges in the mental health, intellectual disability and/or substance addiction field.

We are also looking to appoint a Senior Advisory District Inspector. This role provides leadership and advice to other district Inspectors.

Appointments are made by the Minister of Health or their delegate on the recommendation of the Director of Mental Health.

District inspectors and deputy district inspectors are paid $170 an hour for their work.

Applications close at 5.00 pm, Thursday 5 February 2026.

We anticipate that the shortlisting process will be finalised by late February 2026, with interviews in March 2026 and appointments commencing 1 July 2026.

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 people in mental distress.
• Cultural awareness, sensitivity, and knowledge.
• Regional and collegial engagement.
• For consideration of additional appointment under Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003: knowledge of and/or experience with intellectual disability.
• For consideration of additional appointment under Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017: knowledge of and/or experience with substance addiction.
• For consideration of appointment of Senior Advisory District Inspector: considerable knowledge of mental health legislation, national standards of practice and previous experience as a district inspector.

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.

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 (2025), and other online guidelines to the Mental Health Act.

Send your application to mentalhealthadmin@health.govt.nz If you have any queries, please contact mentalhealthadmin@health.govt.nz.