Ranger Heritage and Visitors – Department of Conservation – Kerikeri

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

Job summary

The Department of Conservation in Kerikeri is seeking a practical, field-based Ranger to protect and enhance Aotearoa New Zealand. You will spend most days outdoors planning and delivering work programmes, maintaining visitor facilities, and supporting conservation outcomes.

Working with the Principal Ranger and team, you will contribute to planning, reporting and project delivery while ensuring safe, high-quality experiences for visitors.

Qualifications

• Outdoor work experience maintaining recreational assets or facilities.
• Strong health and safety awareness and ability to implement safety practices.
• Ability to manage and report on work programmes and progress.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organise and deliver scheduled field work programmes.
• Maintain and improve recreational 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 on all tasks.
• Build relationships with iwi, contractors and stakeholders.
• Possible remote work for remedial works and flexible hours.
• Contribute to planning, reporting and project delivery.

Skills

Outdoor professional

Health & safety

Communication

Relationship building

Independent work

Team collaboration

NZ drivers license

Tools

Chainsaws

Scrub cutters

Weed eaters

Mowers

Tractors

Carpentry equipment

Job description

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

• 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

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.

Click here for the Role Description

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.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday 20 October 2026.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries,

Please contact Adrian Walker, Principal Ranger Heritage and Visitor at [e-mail]

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