Vacancies

Cafe and Catering Manager 

Location: Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, just 20 minutes north of Masterton, on the edge of the stunning Wairarapa and Tararua Districts.

About Us:
Kaka Café is an integral part of the Pūkaha experience, serving great coffee and delicious kai to both local and international visitors. The café also provides catering for events held in our recently opened education and events centre, Te Whare Wānanga Taiao o Manukura. At Pūkaha, we are dedicated to wildlife conservation and restoration, making this a unique opportunity to contribute to an important cause while leading our café operations.

The Role:

The Pūkaha Café and Catering Manager will be passionate about hospitality, have a real flair with food and be committed to delivering authentic and exceptional customer service. This role is perfect for an experienced professional ready to take charge and make a meaningful impact not just on the café, but also on our overall mission to protect and restore New Zealand’s unique wildlife.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the daily operations of Kaka Café, ensuring top-tier service and quality kai.
• Design and deliver delicious, creative and outstanding menus that cater for all tastes and budgets
• Manage catering for events and groups, collaborating closely with our events team 
• Drive profitability and operational efficiency in the café.
• Lead, inspire, and support a dedicated team, creating a positive and motivated work environment.
• Work in partnership with the General Manager and other key staff to elevate the visitor experience at Pūkaha. 

Who We’re Looking For:

• You have substantial leadership experience in a café, restaurant, or catering environment.
• You’re passionate about great coffee, excellent food, and providing outstanding customer service.
• You possess the business acumen necessary to run a successful and profitable operation.
• You’re an inspiring leader who can motivate and guide your team to success.
• You’re excited about the chance to contribute to an important conservation project, making your work at Pūkaha part of a larger, meaningful mission.

What We Offer:
We offer a competitive package, an awesome team and a unique and inspiring ngahere environment. As Pūkaha is open 364 days a year, availability for some weekend and evening work is required.

How to Apply:
If you’re ready to take on this exciting challenge and be part of a vital conservation effort, send your Expression of Interest and CV to Emily Court, General Manager, at emily@pukaha.org.nz by 01 May 2025.

Help us create unforgettable moments for our visitors while making a real difference in wildlife conservation. 🐾🌏

Send your resume and a brief cover letter to emily@pukaha.org.nz 📩