63966 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Corrections

63966 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Corrections: What is the average salary of staff at any ministries, departments and agencies for which the minister is responsible, as at 1 October 2024?

Hon Mark Mitchell: Corrections is one of New Zealand’s largest core agencies, employing nearly 10,000 staff. The majority of Corrections’ workforce is deployed in frontline roles across 17 Corrections-managed prisons and many more Community Corrections sites across New Zealand. The remaining staff in back-office roles enable frontline staff to carry out their duties by providing support. I am advised that Corrections is making concerted efforts to recruit, retain, and train frontline staff. A refreshed recruitment campaign commenced in February 2024, and the recently settled prisons-based collective agreement will support ongoing retention and make employment in prisons more competitive in a tight labour market. I am further advised that Corrections also works closely with different unions such as the Corrections Association New Zealand (CANZ) and the Public Service Association (PSA) to ensure that the voices of staff are heard and salaries are competitive and fair. I am further advised that, as at 30 September 2024, the mean (average) salary of all Corrections’ staff is $87,669.