Ranger Heritage and Visitors

Department of Conservation; Kerikeri; On-site; NZD 66,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation in Kerikeri is seeking a motivated outdoor professional to plan and deliver field work programmes across the district. You will maintain a range of recreational assets, support conservation outcomes, and enable safe visitor experiences in Te Taiao.

The role is predominantly field-based with some office tasks and potential emergency response involvement. Strong leadership, carpentry/maintenance skills and a passion for the outdoors are essential.

Qualifications

• Leadership and guiding colleagues in field operations.
• Experience maintaining recreational assets and delivering field work programmes.
• Practical experience in carpentry or related maintenance trades.
• Passion for conservation, outdoors, and Te Taiao.
• Strong attention to detail and asset upkeep.
• Ability to operate tools and machinery (chainsaws, mowers, tractors).
• Fitness and resilience to work in rugged outdoor environments.
• Commitment to health, safety and wellbeing.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage programmes, monitor progress and report outcomes.
• Capable of working independently and taking ownership of tasks.
• Ability to work collaboratively with iwi, contractors, communities and iwi.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organise and deliver scheduled field work programmes.
• Maintain and improve recreation assets and visitor facilities.
• Work independently and as part of a close-knit team.
• Identify practical solutions and drive continuous improvement.
• Champion health, safety and wellbeing in all work aspects.
• Build relationships with iwi, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Possibly undertake remote work programmes for current infrastructure remediation.
• Ensure visitors have safe, high-quality experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Asset management

Carpentry/maintenance

Outdoor endurance

Health and safety

Communication

Chainsaws & machinery

NZ driver's license

Education

Trade qualification in carpentry

Tools

Chainsaws & machinery

Job description

Live and work in the stunning Pēwhairangi Bay of Islands.

Enjoy a hands-on role where you'll spend much of your time outdoors in Te Taiao.

Help protect and maintain some of Aotearoa New Zealand's most treasured recreational and natural places.

Salary range: $65,590 to $76,589 depending on skills and experience.

Permanent, full-time position | Based in Kerikeri Pēwhairangi

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Mō te tūranga

About the role

We're looking for a motivated and practical team player to join our Pēwhairangi Bay of Islands team. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in the outdoors, enjoys physical work, and is passionate about protecting and enhancing Aotearoa New Zealand's unique natural and recreational places.

Working closely with the Principal Ranger and wider team, you'll help plan, coordinate and deliver a diverse range of work programmes across the district. You'll contribute to maintaining visitor infrastructure, supporting conservation outcomes, and ensuring people can safely enjoy the incredible landscapes and experiences our region has to offer.

This is predominantly a field-based position, with most of your time spent working outdoors. You'll also undertake office-based tasks to support planning, reporting, and project delivery, and may contribute to emergency response activities when required.

The position will be focussed on:

• Plan, organise and deliver scheduled work programmes.
• Maintain and improve a wide range of recreational assets and visitor facilities.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a close-knit team.
• Identify practical solutions to challenges and help drive continuous improvement.
• Champion health, safety and wellbeing in all aspects of your work.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with iwi, contractors, community groups and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work flexible working hours that may involve remote work programmes for remedial works on current infrastructure.
• Help ensure visitors have safe, high-quality experiences while caring for Te Taiao.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

To be successful in this role, you'll be a capable and adaptable outdoor professional with experience maintaining recreational assets and delivering work programmes in the field. You'll have strong technical and practical skills, a commitment to health and safety, and the ability to build effective relationships with colleagues, iwi, contractors, and stakeholders.

If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:

• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to support and guide others when needed.
• Experience in recreational asset, facilities, infrastructure or land management.
• Practical experience in carpentry, construction, building maintenance, or related trades.
• A genuine passion for conservation, the outdoors, and protecting Te Taiao.
• Strong attention to detail and pride in maintaining assets to a high standard.
• Experience operating tools and machinery such as chainsaws, scrub cutters, weed eaters, mowers, tractors and carpentry equipment.
• The fitness and resilience to work in rugged outdoor environments, including remote and backcountry locations.
• A strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to manage work programmes, monitor progress and report on issues and outcomes.
• Confidence working independently and taking ownership of tasks.
• The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, contractors, local communities, whānau, hapū and iwi.
• A full New Zealand driver's licence.

Desirable

• Trade qualification or relevant certification in carpentry, construction, asset management or a related field.
• Experience working in conservation, parks, recreation, or public land management.
• Knowledge and understanding of Te Ao Māori and Tikanga Māori.
• Relevant machinery, chainsaw, first aid or outdoor safety certifications.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What's in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.

Salary: $65,590 to $76,589, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we'll try to accommodate.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday 20 October 2026. This advert may close early.

For further enquiries, please contact Adrian Walker, Principal Ranger Heritage and Visitor at [e-mail]