Diver/Aquarist - Fixed Term

Napier City Council; Hawke's Bay; On-site; NZD 66,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program (OCP)

Quarterly values awards + Social club

Free flu vaccinations (annual)

Job summary

Napier City Council – Napier City, North Island, invites applications for a Diver/Aquarist at the National Aquarium of New Zealand. This 12‑month fixed-term role supports daily animal care, underwater husbandry, exhibit maintenance and engaging visitor talks.

Working 40 hours per week on a roster, based at the National Aquarium of New Zealand on Napier’s Marine Parade, the salary ranges $66,223–$74,014 including KiwiSaver.

Qualifications

• Minimum required diving qualifications (e.g., PADI Rescue Diver or equivalent).
• Hands-on experience in animal husbandry and welfare.
• Strong communication skills for engaging visitors and schools.
• Ability to work effectively in a safety-focused team.

Responsibilities

• Support daily care, health and wellbeing of aquatic animals via feeding, enrichment and monitoring.
• Participate in safe diving operations for underwater husbandry, cleaning and exhibit maintenance.
• Assist with operation and maintenance of aquaria, exhibits and life-support systems, including water testing.
• Deliver engaging talks, encounters and behind-the-scenes tours for visitors.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and uphold safety standards.

Skills

Diving qualifications

Animal husbandry experience

Visitor communication

Teamwork

Health & safety awareness

Tools

Water testing equipment

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Napier City Council – Napier City, North Island

Bring your passion for marine life to one of Aotearoa’s most iconic visitor attractions. As a Diver/Aquarist at the National Aquarium of New Zealand for 12 months, you’ll play a hands‑on role in the care, health, and wellbeing of our animals, supporting daily husbandry, diving operations, exhibit presentation, and life support systems. From underwater cleaning and maintenance to enrichment, feeding, and animal health support, your work will directly contribute to exceptional animal welfare outcomes.

You’ll also help bring the Aquarium to life for our visitors - delivering engaging talks, encounters, and behind‑the‑scenes experiences that inspire curiosity and conservation. Working as part of a collaborative and safety‑focused team, you’ll take pride in high standards, continuous learning, and contributing to a positive, professional environment across a seven-day operation.

Te Āheinga - The Opportunity

• Support the daily care, health, and wellbeing of aquatic animals through feeding, enrichment, monitoring, and record-keeping
• Participate in safe, professional occupational diving operations for underwater husbandry, cleaning, and exhibit maintenance
• Assist with the operation and maintenance of aquaria, exhibits, and life support systems, including water quality testing
• Deliver engaging visitor experiences through talks, encounters, presentations, and behind‑the-scenes tours
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, training programmes, and a positive, safety-focused team culture
• A strong passion for animal welfare, conservation, and delivering high standards of care
• Hands‑on experience in animal husbandry, with an enjoyment of practical, physically active work
• Relevant diving qualifications (minimum PADI Rescue Diver or equivalent), with the ability to meet occupational diving and medical clearance requirements
• Confidence communicating with visitors, schools, and diverse audiences in an engaging and professional manner
• Reliable, detail-focused, and able to work calmly and effectively within a team, including in safety‑critical environments

• Employee Assistance Program (OCP)
• Quarterly values awards + Social club
• Free flu vaccinations (annual)

This is a 12-month fixed term opportunity working 40 hours per week on a rostered basis. You will be based at the National Aquarium of New Zealand on Napier’s Marine Parade.

The annual salary package for this role is $66,223 - $74,014 (including KiwiSaver), with the final offer depending on your skills and experience.

We will be interviewing applications as we receive them and may close the role when we have found the right person.

At Napier City Council, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and work to make our hiring process fair and accessible. If you need any support or adjustments during your application or interview, let us know—we’re happy to help!

Our success is grounded in strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, supported by our Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which builds cultural capability through education and training.

Before you join, you’ll need to complete pre-employment checks (including criminal background checks, with some roles requiring health screening and drug & alcohol testing). As an NCC employee, you may also be called on to support Civil Defence emergencies when our community needs us most.