Residential Cook - Epuni Care and Protection Residence Lower Hutt

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Lower Hutt; On-site; NZD 54,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki — Ministry for Children in Lower Hutt is seeking a chef/cook to plan and prepare nutritious, home-style meals for rangatahi in our care. You will often work independently on your rostered days, ensuring meals are prepared and served safely while keeping the kitchen clean and welcoming.

This role goes beyond cooking: you will interact with rangatahi, build positive relationships, and contribute to stability and routine through wholesome food.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a cook for large groups.
• Understanding of health and safety, including food hygiene.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and under supervision.
• Cross-cultural awareness, including tikanga Māori and Pacific cultures.
• Qualifications equivalent to NZQA level 2 or higher; relevant study encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare nutritious, home-style meals for rangatahi.
• Work on rostered days, often independently, and maintain kitchen safety.
• Ensure meals are prepared and served on time and the kitchen is clean.
• Engage with rangatahi to build positive relationships and a welcoming environment.

Skills

Cook for large groups

Health and safety

Relationship building

Organisation & time management

Teamwork

Initiative

Cross-cultural awareness

Education

NZQA level 2 or equivalent

Job description

• Remuneration starts between $54,080 to $57,901 per annum, dependent on experience

• Full Time Permanent Position available at our Lower Hutt site
• Remuneration starts between $54,080 to $57,901 per annum, dependent on experience

Mō mātou | About us:

Oranga Tamariki — Ministry for Children is the Ministry that supports children and young people in New Zealand. Oranga Tamariki has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do and works to advance the wellbeing and positive long-term outcomes of children and young people.

Mō te tūnga | About the role:

In this busy and rewarding role, you will work alongside the Residence Chef to plan and prepare nutritious, home-style meals for the rangatahi in our care. On your rostered days, you will often work independently, preparing and cooking meals while helping to maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming kitchen environment.

This role is about much more than cooking. The kitchen sits right in the heart of the residence, meaning you will regularly see and interact with rangatahi throughout your day. Building positive relationships and contributing to a welcoming environment is an important part of the role.

Our rangatahi enjoy familiar, well-prepared meals that provide comfort, routine, and stability. We aren't looking for someone focused on fine dining or creating elaborate dishes. Instead, we're looking for someone who enjoys preparing wholesome, nutritious food that young people can rely on and look forward to.

Your strong organisational skills will help ensure meals are prepared and served on time, supporting the day-to-day operations of the residence. We are looking for someone who takes pride in their work, enjoys being part of a team, and understands the important role that good food can play in the wellbeing of young people.

This is a rostered position requiring flexibility to work a combination of mornings, days, evenings, and weekends.

Ngā pūmanwatanga ōu | What you will bring:

Key requirements of the role include:

• Proven experience as a cook for large groups
• Understanding of health and safety, including food hygiene
• Strong relationship building skills
• Effective organisation, planning and time management skills
• Ability to work well as part of a team
• Ability to work unsupervised and able to use your initiative
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples' culture
• Qualifications equivalent to NZQA level 2 or equivalent. Consideration will be given to applicants with 2 - 3 years' work experience and successful study towards a qualification

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offer an impartial remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. We offer training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit

Applications Close: Thursday 12th November 2026 at Midnight!