Gardener/Mower Operator

LiveHire Limited; Rotorua; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work phone for personal use

Guaranteed work hours

Job summary

Green by Nature is seeking a Gardener/Mower Operator to work across the Rotorua Lakes region, focusing on lawn mowing and edging with small equipment. The role includes garden maintenance, plant care and coordinating with the site team

Ideal candidates will have horticulture experience, a clean manual driving licence, and the ability to read and implement garden plans. This fixed-term 6-month position requires reliability in retirement village environments.

Qualifications

• Hands-on gardening/g horticulture experience.
• Full, clean driver’s licence (manual driving) is required.
• Level 3/4 National Certificate in Horticulture preferred.
• Solid knowledge of plant species and maintenance needs.
• Ability to interpret and execute detailed gardening plans.
• Strong interpersonal skills for client/community engagement.
• Proactive and results‑driven with commitment to quality.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain gardens to meet client expectations, sourcing plants/materials as needed.
• Mow, edge and finish turf to required presentation standards.
• Communicate with Operations Manager or client; report issues promptly.
• Maintain safety, compliance and quality in all tasks.
• Assist with general grounds maintenance: weeding, pruning, waste removal; tidy work areas.
• Interact professionally with residents and maintain respectful conduct.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Proactive mindset

Plan interpretation

Safety awareness

Education

Level 3/4 National Certificate in Horticulture

Tools

Pedestrian mowers

Line trimmers

Blowers

Hedge trimmers

Hand tools

Job description

At Green by Nature, we’re more than a greenspace maintenance team we’re dedicated to maintaining the natural beauty of the spaces we care for. Since 1992, we’ve grown into an industry leader with over 2000+ team members across New Zealand and Australia, proudly partnering with City and District Councils and numerous other valued private clients. As we continue to grow, we’re excited to welcome a passionate Gardener/ Mower operator to our Bay of Plenty Team on a fixed term 6-month basis.

About The Role

You will work across Rotorua Lakes region where the primary responsibility will be lawn mowing and finishing work using small mowing equipment, including push or self-propelled mowers, line trimmers, edgers and blowers.

The role will also include lawn edging, trimming around obstacles, clearing grass clippings, maintaining tidy work areas, completing basic equipment checks and assisting with general gardening and grounds maintenance when required.

The successful applicant must be comfortable working safely and respectfully within retirement village environments, where consideration for residents, pedestrians, vehicles and property is essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create, and maintain beautiful gardens that meet client expectations. This includes sourcing plants and materials, following garden plans, and implementing best planting practices
• Lawn mowing, edging and finishing work, ensuring turf areas are maintained to the required presentation and service standard
• Communicate regularly with the Operations Manager, Team Manager and/or client, promptly addressing and reporting any garden or planting issues
• Maintain a strong focus on safety, compliance, and quality in all gardening activities
• Assist the site team with general grounds maintenance activities, including garden maintenance, weeding, pruning, green waste removal, tidying and other routine landscape tasks as required.
• Have a respectful and professional approach when working around residents is essential.

About You:

Our ideal candidate has hands‑on experience in gardening and horticulture along with bringing the right skills and attitude.

What we’re looking for:

• A full, clean driver’s licence (manual driving capability is a must)
• Level 3/4 National Certificate in Horticulture would be preferred
• Solid knowledge of plant species and their maintenance needs
• Ability to interpret and execute detailed gardening plans with precision
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage professionally with clients and community members as needed
• A proactive and results‑driven approach, with a commitment to delivering high‑quality work

The role will involve the use of typical grounds maintenance equipment, including pedestrian mowers, line trimmers, blowers, hedge trimmers, hand tools and associated grounds maintenance equipment.

We are looking for someone who is reliable, physically capable, safety conscious and comfortable working independently as well as part of a small site‑based team.

What We Offer:

At Green by Nature, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside professionals, expand your knowledge, and develop your career in horticulture. We offer guaranteed work hours with the ability to increase based on operational demands, a performance-based salary that is reviewed annually. You’ll also receive a work phone that's permitted for personal use.

Please note: In line with our Drug & Alcohol Policy, the successful candidate will need to undergo and pass a pre‑employment drug test.