Hatchery Technician

New Zealand King Salmon; Tākaka; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand King Salmon in Takaka, South Island is seeking a Hatchery Technician to join our Hatchery Team in Tākaka. The role starts immediately with a 40-hour week, typically from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with some flexibility in hours.

You will monitor fish health, assist with feeding, and perform general hatchery duties, including spawning and harvesting tasks. No aquaculture experience is required, but reliability, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work outdoors around water are

Qualifications

• Ability to work outside and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Confidence working in and around water.
• Excellent observational skills and attention to detail.
• Be reliable, willing to learn, able to follow instructions, and comply with SOPs and safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Monitor fish health, assist with grading, weighing, counting and handling fish.
• Undertake feeding to ensure optimum fish health.
• Perform general cleaning and maintenance duties.
• Participate in key events such as spawning and harvesting.

Skills

Outdoor work

Attention to detail

Reliable

Physically fit

Job description

New Zealand King Salmon – Takaka, South Island

We are currently seeking a Hatchery Technician who can start immediately to join our fantastic Hatchery Team in Tākaka. Previous Aquaculture experience while desirable is not necessary.

You must be reliable, enjoy working outdoors and bring a positive attitude. You will work 40 hours per week, generally between the hours of 7.00AM to 3.30PM, however some flexibility with working hours is required.This position performs general Hatchery duties. Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Monitoring fish health, assisting with grading, weighing, counting and handling our fish.
• Undertake feeding to ensure optimum fish health.
• Performing general cleaning and maintenance duties.
• Participating in key events such as spawning and harvesting.

The successful applicant will have:

• The ability to work outside and, perform physically demanding tasks, such as lifting, carrying and bending.
• Confidence working in and around water.
• Excellent observational skills and attention to detail.
• Be reliable, willing to learn, able to follow instructions, and comply with standard operating procedures and safety requirements.

New Zealand King Salmon is world’s largest producer of King Salmon. Our Tākaka Hatchery is where it all starts. As the largest hatchery in New Zealand, Tākaka is home for our exceptional King Salmon specialised breeding programme, Ōra King Tyee and the best quality eyed eggs for production.

Applications close 02 October 2026.

The New Zealand King Salmon Co Ltd is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace and has a pre-employment, post-incident and reasonable cause drug testing programme in place.

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.