Corrections has been ordered to reinstate a prison officer who was sacked after she appeared in court.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Iona Wikaira - who worked at Northland Prison - appeared in court on a charge of wilful damage of a windscreen, but was discharged without conviction.
Corrections dismissed her, saying it was concerned she had engaged in unlawful activity which resulted in her appearing in court, charged with a crime.
But chief employment judge Graeme Colgan ordered her reinstatement, saying the Department had not distinguished between this case and more serious misconduct.
He ordered the department to pay compensation of $17,000.
Corrections northern regional commissioner Jeanette Burns said Ms Wikaira had been reinstated, but the department expected high standards of behaviour from its staff while on or off duty.