Opportunities to live and work

With affordable homes and great schools, the Waikato region offers rural lifestyle opportunities while remaining close to Hamilton’s urban centre. Local authorities are planning for significant future growth in the greater Waikato region.

Learn more about living in the Ōtorohanga, Waitomo, Waipa, Waikato, and South Waikato districts below:

• For those thinking about living in the South Waikato region (incl. Tokoroa, Putaruru, Tirau, and Arapuni), more information is available from South Waikato District Council’s Space to Grow website. Visit South Waikato District Council’s website. See South Waikato District Council’s Space to Grow Booklet PDF, 3.9 MB for more information.
• Information is available on the direction of the Ōtorohanga region within Ōtorohanga District Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP) document.
• Waipa District Council has produced a 2050 District Growth Strategy outlining an integrated and sustainable approach to managing growth in the Waipa region (incl. Te Awamutu and Kihikihi).
• Established in 2018, Te Waka is business-led and governed organisation established to attract, retain, and grow investment, talent, and business across the Waikato district.
• For those considering relocation to the Waikato, information on the region’s housing market can be found at:
  • Tenancy Services
  • New Zealand Now
  • OPES Partners

Working for Corrections

While recruitment for operational positions for the new facilities has not yet commenced, people with various backgrounds and expertise will be required for the new facility.

These include case managers, psychiatrists, psychologists, health staff, mental health nurses, social workers, programme facilitators, occupational therapists, and Corrections Officers.

To view current vacancies for frontline Corrections positions, including at the existing Waikeria Prison facility, please visit Careers at Corrections.

Construction vacancies - CPB Contractors

Cornerstone Infrastructure Partners (CIP)’s main contractor, CPB Contractors is actively engaging with trades sub-contractors and will award packages of work up until project completion in 2024. CPB Contractors are committed to utilising local services where possible.

The Department of Corrections, CPB Contractors, and the Ministry of Social Development are continuing to engage with education and training providers in the community to support the employment (including apprenticeships) of local workers, including those whose employment has been affected by COVID-19.

To view vacancies for the construction project please visit the recruitment portal for CPB.