Vacancies

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is a nationally significant captive breeding centre and restoration project located 20 minutes north of Masterton on the boundary of Tararua and Wairarapa. Pūkaha operates in close partnership with The Department of Conservation and Iwi Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki Nui a Rua. The Pūkaha Visitor Centre welcomes guests from all over New Zealand and the world to experience the wonders of this ancient forest alive with native birds and wildlife. Pūkaha has set ambitious goals to grow both tourism, education and restoration sides of the business and we need smart and driven team members to help make it happen.

Pūkaha visitor hosts are the public face of the organisation, welcoming people from all walks of life to this special place and ensuring that every guest leaves with a better understanding of the natural world, what Pūkaha’s role is and how they can make a difference.

Pūkaha hosts are supreme communicators with a passion for wildlife, for teaching, learning and for storytelling.

• Immediate start
• Part time including some weekends.

Call now to talk to us about the role. The hours and terms can be discussed with candidates.

Email [email protected]  with your contact details so we can get in touch.

Are you passionate about conservation, have a great work ethic and positive attitude, with experience in leading teams to protect our threatened wildlife?

Do you also enjoy being part of a small effective team and are comfortable interacting with visitors and media?

We could have the role for you!

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is looking for a Team Leader for our Conservation Breeding team. This is a permanent and full time position. You will report to our Biodiversity Manager and be responsible for a small but skilled team of six Senior/Conservation rangers. Pūkaha is located 28km north of Masterton on SH2 at the base of 942ha of remnant native forest. Pest management and species reintroductions have been successfully carried out and are being accelerated to restore biodiversity in this very special tāonga of Aoteoroa. This includes efforts to step up the monitoring and management of our very special population of North Island brown kiwi.

The centre supports conservation breeding and release programmes for species such as whio, pateke, kakariki, kākā, shore plover and kiwi. Pūkaha has an important conservation education role and you will be part of an exciting hands on, matāuranga informed centre of learning in partnership with Rāngitane, UCOL and the wider education sector.

You will be responsible for managing the work programme and staff involved in daily care of our birds and reptiles, general aviary maintenance and enrichment, and interaction with visitors as opportunities and needs are highlighted. You will also oversee our volunteer programme which supports the conservation breeding programme.

Applicants should have experience in leading small conservation teams. Field experience and certifications for handling wild kiwi would be an advantage (although not essential depending on your other skills and background). Applicants must be motivated to work alongside iwi and comfortable to engage in Māori settings. You will work 5 days a week on roster which may include weekends.  Accommodation is available on site if required.

Applications should include a cover letter and CV. They close at 5pm on Friday 16th December 2022   

Click here for our … Job Description …

For all enquiries and to apply email [email protected]