Vacancies

Full-time | Fixed term – 9 months
$60-64,000, pro-rated | Based on experience

Help shape the next chapter of conservation at Pūkaha

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is looking for an experienced and practical conservation professional to join our team as Senior Biodiversity Ranger.

This is a hands-on role with a significant focus on our kiwi regeneration programme, but its reach is much wider.

You will work across the conservation team, supporting the care and management of the native species entrusted to us while helping us strengthen the systems, processes, data and ways of working that sit behind great conservation outcomes.

We are looking for someone who can bring conservation knowledge and the ability to turn that knowledge into well-organised, repeatable and accountable practice.

Pūkaha is a place where nature thrives and where the people we reach are inspired and empowered to be true kaitiaki. Our work spans threatened species recovery, captive breeding, forest restoration, research, advocacy and visitor education.

What you’ll be doing

A major focus during the fixed term will be supporting delivery of the Pūkaha Kiwi Regeneration Programme, including monitoring our kiwi population, improving population data, supporting breeding and genetic work and helping develop the pathway towards future translocation.

Alongside this, you’ll have the opportunity to make a broader impact across our conservation operations.

You will:

• supporting our Wildlife Manager in providing high-quality animal husbandry and species management across animals in our care

• support delivery and continuous improvement of our captive breeding programmes

• undertake and support kiwi population monitoring, telemetry tracking and breeding monitoring

• improve the way conservation information is collected, stored, analysed and reported

• help develop clear, practical systems, procedures and records that support consistent conservation practice

• contribute to work planning, monitoring, reporting and conservation programme delivery

• support the development of the kiwi conservation and future translocation plan

• work alongside our Wildlife and Conservation teams to identify opportunities to strengthen day-to-day systems and processes

• maintain strong relationships with Rangitāne, DOC, conservation partners, contractors, volunteers and industry specialists

• support volunteers and project teams where required

• contribute to conservation advocacy and help our wider team tell the story of the species and conservation work happening at Pūkaha

• ensure work meets relevant regulatory requirements, best-practice standards and Pūkaha’s health and safety expectations.

The role won’t be confined to a desk or to one species. You’ll need to be equally comfortable analysing data, reviewing a process, working alongside colleagues to solve a problem and getting hands-on with the practical realities of conservation work.

What we’re looking for

We’re interested in someone with a strong grounding in conservation who is ready to bring both expertise and structure to the role.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• a relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent practical expertise in biodiversity or conservation

• required sign-off and documentation for kiwi handling and accreditation for North Island Brown Kiwi, wild or captive work

• experience in wildlife husbandry, species management, ecological restoration or threatened-species programmes

• knowledge of captive breeding and animal population management

• strong data management skills and confidence working with databases and digital systems

• an understanding of biodiversity, biosecurity, regulatory requirements and accepted conservation practice

• sound judgement and the confidence to question, improve and develop systems where there is a better way of working

• strong planning and organisational skills

• the ability to build effective relationships with people from a wide variety of backgrounds

• a commitment to working respectfully alongside iwi and supporting the aspirations of mana whenua

• a New Zealand Driver Licence

• the physical fitness required for practical conservation work.

The person we’re hoping to find

You’ll probably be someone who sees a spreadsheet that isn’t quite working and wants to fix it.

You notice when information is being held in people’s heads rather than captured in a system. You value good records, clear procedures and consistency because you understand that, in conservation, they directly support better outcomes for the animals and ecosystems in our care.

At the same time, you’re practical. Pūkaha is a charitable organisation, and we’re looking for somebody willing to roll up their sleeves and work alongside the team rather than simply recommend what everybody else should be doing.

You’ll be collaborative, accountable, curious and solutions-focused, and comfortable joining an organisation that is continuing to strengthen its systems and ways of working.

Why Pūkaha?

Few conservation roles offer the variety you’ll find here.

Our 942-hectare reserve combines native forest restoration with threatened species conservation, captive wildlife management, advocacy and visitor experiences.

You’ll have the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to the future of our kiwi population while also helping strengthen the conservation systems that support the wider work of Pūkaha.

This is a full-time, 9/10-month fixed-term position. The position has been made possible through external grant funding. Any continuation beyond the fixed term would be dependent on Pūkaha securing further funding and cannot be guaranteed.

We operate a seven-day operation, so weekend conservation work will be required.

Ready to make an impact?

If you’re looking for a role where you can combine practical conservation experience with the opportunity to improve how things are done, we’d love to hear from you.

Please apply through SEEK with your CV and a cover letter telling us why this role interests you and what you believe you could bring to Pūkaha.

Lead visitor operations, facilities and Health & Safety at Pūkaha, supporting staff, casuals and volunteers while improving the visitor experience.

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is looking for a practical, people focused leader to help drive the day-to-day delivery of our visitor experience and site operations.

This is a broad, hands-on role for someone who enjoys leading people, improving how things work and taking responsibility for the smooth running of a busy visitor environment.

Reporting to the Chief of Awesome, you will lead six direct reports alongside a wider team of casual employees and volunteers. You’ll oversee visitor facing operations, facilities, Health & Safety, site presentation and operational systems, while also helping improve the commercial performance of the organisation.

You don’t need to have held a senior management title before. You may already be an experienced team leader, supervisor or operational coordinator who is ready to take on broader responsibility.

The opportunity

No two days at Pūkaha are the same.

One day you might be coaching the team and supporting visitor operations, the next reviewing a maintenance issue, working with a contractor, checking Health & Safety actions, improving stock or supplier processes, or helping ensure a new visitor experience is ready to launch.

You will play an important part in making sure Pūkaha is safe, welcoming, well-presented and operating effectively every day.

A key focus of the role is also helping us get more value from the visitors we already welcome, through stronger visitor experiences, better café and retail performance, memberships, donations and paid experiences. The commercial delivery plan specifically focuses on increasing visitor value, improving margins and operational efficiency, and strengthening memberships, donations and paid experiences.

What you’ll be responsible for

• Leading, coaching and coordinating a diverse team of permanent staff, casual employees and volunteers
• Helping deliver a consistently high standard of visitor service across the site
• Leading facilities and site management, including planned and preventative maintenance, contractors, statutory compliance and asset upkeep
• Supporting strong Health & Safety systems, emergency readiness and a proactive safety culture
• Work closely with the Head of Conservation Experience & Partnerships and Business Support & Finance Coordinator to ensure visitor operations, commercial activity and organisational priorities are well coordinated.
• Improving day-to-day operational systems, processes and ways of working
• Supporting performance across café, retail, memberships, donations and visitor experiences
• Reviewing stock, wastage, suppliers and purchasing to improve value and reduce avoidable costs
• Maintaining high standards of site presentation, visitor amenities and operational readiness
• Supporting budgets, expenditure monitoring and operational reporting
• Coordinating suppliers and contractors
• Work with the marketing team to ensure visitor information, promotions and updates are shared clearly with staff, partners and local tourism and accommodation providers.
• Supporting the delivery of campaigns, events, school holiday programmes and new visitor experiences
• Identifying practical opportunities to improve visitor satisfaction, commercial performance and operational efficiency

What we’re looking for

We are looking for someone with good operational instincts, strong people skills and the confidence to take ownership.

You may come from facilities, hospitality, tourism, retail, attractions, venue operations, property, customer service or another hands-on operational environment.

You will ideally bring:

• Experience leading or supervising a team
• Experience in facilities, site operations or a complex operational environment
• Confidence managing day-to-day Health & Safety requirements
• Strong customer service or visitor-facing experience
• Good organisation and problem-solving skills
• Commercial awareness and confidence working with budgets, stock or suppliers
• The ability to coordinate contractors and operational priorities
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• A practical, solutions-focused approach
• The confidence to make decisions and take ownership
• A willingness to learn and grow into the wider scope of the role

Experience in conservation, tourism or the not-for-profit sector would be useful, but it is not essential.

Why Pūkaha?

Pūkaha is much more than a visitor attraction.

We are a nationally significant conservation organisation working to restore the ngahere and protect some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s precious native species.

Every visitor, membership, donation, retail purchase and experience helps support that work.

This role offers the opportunity to build your leadership experience while making a visible difference across the organisation, from the way the site looks and operates, to how visitors are welcomed and how effectively our teams work together.

Our values – Manaakitanga, Kaitiakitanga, Whanaungatanga and Āhuru Mōwai – guide how we work with each other, our visitors, our partners and our environment.

Pūkaha operates seven days a week, so some weekend and public holiday work will be required.

A current New Zealand Driver Licence is also required.

As a newly created role, you will have the opportunity to build on what is already in place, strengthen systems and processes, and help shape the next phase of Pūkaha’s operational development.

If you are a capable team leader or operational professional looking for the opportunity to step up, broaden your experience and make a real impact, we would love to hear from you.

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is seeking a friendly, enthusiastic, and customer-focused Casual Visitor Centre Team Member to join our team.

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys working with people, has a passion for conservation, and takes pride in delivering exceptional visitor experiences.

As a member of our Visitor Centre team, you will:
– Welcome visitors from across New Zealand and around the world.
– Process admissions, retail sales, and memberships.
– Assist with café operations when required.
– Help maintain a clean, well-presented Visitor Centre.
– Share information about Pūkaha, our wildlife, and the experiences we offer.

We’re looking for someone who:
– Has excellent customer service and communication skills.
– Is reliable, adaptable, and enjoys working in a team environment.
– Can work weekends, public holidays, and school holiday periods.
– Brings a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.

Previous experience in retail, hospitality, tourism, or customer service is an advantage, but not essential. Full training will be provided to the successful applicant.
This is a casual position, with hours offered as required to support busy periods, events, and staff leave.

If you’re passionate about people, conservation, and creating memorable visitor experiences, we’d
love to hear from you.

We’re looking for a reliable and friendly Casual Café Assistant to join our team.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and delivering great
customer service.

What you’ll be doing:
– Serving customers with a positive, welcoming attitude
– Preparing food and beverages
– Handling cash and EFTPOS transactions
– Keeping the café clean, stocked, and running smoothly

What we’re looking for:
– Previous café or hospitality experience
– Strong customer service skills
– Ability to work flexible shifts across weekdays and weekends
– A team player with a great attitude

What we offer:
– A supportive and friendly team environment
– Flexible, casual hours
– Opportunity to work in a unique and rewarding setting

Minimum hours not guaranteed. Shifts are subject to availability and operational needs.