Customer Experience & Tour Guide | Dark Sky Project

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Dark Sky Project in Takapō (Lake Tekapo) seeks a Customer Experience & Tour Guide to welcome visitors from around the world, delivering bilingual experiences in Japanese and English. You will guide guests through astronomy sessions and cultural storytelling, while handling bookings, ticketing and retail duties in a fast-paced environment.

This role offers a chance to work at a premier stargazing destination and contribute to a kaupapa-driven team focused on manaakitanga and world-class

Qualifications

• Fluent in Japanese and English, both spoken and written.
• Experience in customer service, tourism, hospitality or related roles.
• Ability to engage diverse international guests with warmth and clarity.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional customer service and create memorable visitor experiences.
• Welcome and assist international guests in Japanese and English.
• Guide visitors through astronomy and cultural experiences.
• Manage bookings, enquiries, ticketing, retail sales and POS transactions.
• Support retail, F&B, kiosk and housekeeping operations as needed.
• Reflect Ngāi Tahu values and manaakitanga in interactions.

Skills

Fluent Japanese

Fluent English

Customer service

Tour guiding

Job description

Permanent, Full-time | Takapō (Lake Tekapo)

Bring the stars to life for visitors from around the world

Do you speak fluent Japanese and English and love creating unforgettable customer experiences? Are you passionate about connecting with people, sharing stories, and delivering world-class hospitality?

At Dark Sky Project, we’re looking for an enthusiastic, people-focused Customer Experience & Tour Guide to join our team in the breathtaking Mackenzie region. This is an exciting opportunity to combine your language skills, customer service expertise, and passion for people while working at one of New Zealand’s most iconic tourism destinations.

As one of the first faces our visitors meet, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring every guest feels welcomed, informed, and inspired. You’ll engage with manuhiri from across the globe, delivering exceptional service in both Japanese and English while sharing the wonder of our internationally recognised dark sky experiences.

What makes this role special?

• Use your fluent Japanese and English skills every day
• Work in one of New Zealand’s most spectacular destinations
• Share unforgettable experiences with visitors from around the world
• Be part of a kaupapa‑driven organisation grounded in manaakitanga
• Develop skills across guiding, retail, customer service, tourism operations, and storytelling

What you’ll be doing

• Deliver exceptional customer service and create memorable visitor experiences
• Welcome and assist international guests in both Japanese and English
• Guide visitors through engaging astronomy and cultural experiences
• Manage bookings, enquiries, ticketing, retail sales, and point‑of‑sale transactions
• Support retail, food and beverage, kiosk, and housekeeping operations as required
• Provide accurate information and recommendations to enhance visitor experiences
• Build genuine connections with manuhiri while reflecting Ngāi Tahu values and manaakitanga
• Work collaboratively as part of a high‑performing tourism team

What you’ll bring

• Fluent spoken and written Japanese and English (essential)
• Experience in customer service, tourism, hospitality, retail, guiding, sales, or another customer‑facing role
• Confidence communicating with diverse audiences and groups
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship‑building skills
• A genuine passion for delivering exceptional visitor experiences
• A positive, adaptable attitude and ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment
• An interest in astronomy, storytelling, culture, and learning new content
• Respect for te ao Māori and a willingness to learn about Ngāi Tahu values, history, and language

Why join Dark Sky Project?

At Dark Sky Project, we’re more than a tourism business. We’re storytellers, hosts, and kaitiaki of one of the world’s greatest stargazing destinations.

You’ll join a passionate team dedicated to sharing the stories, science, culture, and natural beauty of Takapō while creating experiences our visitors will remember for a lifetime.

If you’re looking for a role where you can use your language skills, connect with people from around the world, and work somewhere truly extraordinary, we’d love to hear from you.

Applicants Must Successfully Complete

• Ministry of Justice criminal history check
• Drug and Alcohol testing