Head Gardener

Summerset; Auckland; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Southern Cross Health Essentials

Birthday leave

Uniform provided

Job summary

Summerset in Milldale is seeking a hands-on Head Gardener to lead our village outdoor spaces. You’ll report to the Property Manager and work with our Gardener to maintain gardens, lawns and landscapes, ensuring high horticultural standards.

This permanent, Monday–Friday role requires strong organisation, fitness and a warm, respectful approach with residents and staff. Bring a horticulture cert and Growsafe; you’ll mentor staff, manage schedules and help plan budgets.

Qualifications

• Experience in gardening or landscaping.
• National certificate in horticulture (amenity) Level 4 or above.
• Growsafe certificate.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high-quality gardens, lawns, courtyards and landscapes in line with the Gardening and Landscaping Plan.
• Keep buildings, grounds and amenities clean, tidy and welcoming.
• Lead and supervise garden staff and contractors, delegating tasks and mentoring team members.
• Collaborate with the Property and Village Managers on planning and budgets, and ensure efficient scheduling and irrigation upkeep.
• Maintain records of maintenance, and ensure tools and garden infrastructure are in good order.

Skills

Garden/landscape experience

Leadership

Organisational skills

Education

National certificate in horticulture (amenity) Level 4 or above

Growsafe (standard) certificate

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

At Summerset, from the moment we start developing a village, to when our residents call it home, it’s the passion and dedication of our people that brings our villages to life. We are one team united by being part of something bigger – to bring the best of life to our residents.

We’re looking for a dedicated Head Gardener to bring life and colour to our Milldale village team. You’ll report to the Property Manager and work alongside our Gardener to maintain and enhance our outdoor spaces.

This is a hands‑on, varied role that calls for strong organisational skills, a good level of physical fitness, and a genuine love for people and plants. You’ll take pride in creating beautiful environments and enjoy being part of a close‑knit community.

Maintain high‑quality gardens, lawns, courtyards and landscapes in line with the village’s Gardening and Landscaping Plan, applying best‑practice horticultural standards and ensuring seasonal and long‑term planning for all green spaces.

Keep buildings, grounds and amenities clean, tidy and welcoming, including managing rubbish removal in accordance with local authority requirements.

Provide a professional, friendly and welcoming presence for residents, families, visitors and staff at all times.

Lead and supervise garden staff and contractors by delegating tasks, training and mentoring team members, and ensuring consistently high horticultural standards.

Monitor and maintain accurate records of resident garden entitlements, manage agreed maintenance arrangements, collaborate with the Property and Village Managers on planning and budgets, and ensure efficient scheduling, irrigation upkeep and maintenance of tools and garden infrastructure.

This is a permanent role working Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm.

Company Description

At Summerset, from the moment we start developing a village, to when our residents call it home, it’s the passion and dedication of our people that brings our villages to life. We are one team united by being part of something bigger – to bring the best of life to our residents.

We’re looking for a dedicated Head Gardener to bring life and colour to our Milldale village team. You’ll report to the Property Manager and work alongside our Gardener to maintain and enhance our outdoor spaces.

This is a hands‑on, varied role that calls for strong organisational skills, a good level of physical fitness, and a genuine love for people and plants. You’ll take pride in creating beautiful environments and enjoy being part of a close‑knit community.

Key duties

• Maintain high‑quality gardens, lawns, courtyards and landscapes in line with the village’s Gardening and Landscaping Plan, applying best‑practice horticultural standards and ensuring seasonal and long‑term planning for all green spaces.
• Keep buildings, grounds and amenities clean, tidy and welcoming, including managing rubbish removal in accordance with local authority requirements.
• Provide a professional, friendly and welcoming presence for residents, families, visitors and staff at all times.
• Lead and supervise garden staff and contractors by delegating tasks, training and mentoring team members, and ensuring consistently high horticultural standards.
• Monitor and maintain accurate records of resident garden entitlements, manage agreed maintenance arrangements, collaborate with the Property and Village Managers on planning and budgets, and ensure efficient scheduling, irrigation upkeep and maintenance of tools and garden infrastructure.

This is a permanent role working Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm.

Qualifications

You’ll bring experience in gardening or landscaping and a relevant National certificate in horticulture (amenity) Level 4 or above and current Growsafe (standard) certificate. Though what truly sets you apart is your passion for creating beautiful outdoor spaces and your warm, respectful approach to people from all walks of life.

At Summerset, we believe diversity strengthens our team and enriches the care we provide. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life—including those with transferable skills from other industries. You may not tick all the requirements, and that’s okay; we value what you bring to the table and look at the whole individual. We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to thrive.

Equal opportunity is at the heart of how we recruit, and we encourage you to bring your unique perspective and passion to our team.

Additional Information

Summerset's known for its excellent benefits and strong sense of values around care, teamwork and drive for excellence. With some of the best benefits in the sector, some of these include:

• Southern Cross Health Essentials
• Birthday leave
• Uniform provided

Next Steps

Applications for this role will close on

Thursday 24th September. This role may close early due to an increased number of applications - apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!