Job Description
Help care for two of Aotearoa’s most iconic Great Walks, set within world-class coastal and backcountry landscapes
Use your practical outdoor skills to support conservation, biodiversity, and exceptional visitor experiences
Salary range: $60,703 – $66,911
Permanent, full-time role based in Takaka
Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa
The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.
Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.
Mō te tūranga | About the role
As a Hut Warden on the Abel Tasman Coast Track and Heaphy Track Great Walks, your role will focus on the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and care of huts, campsites, and associated tracks, while helping to ensure visitors have a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience.
Off-season / winter work:
During the off-season and winter months, you will support local operations at Tōtaranui Campground and the Tākaka District Office. This schedule may vary from year to year and will be confirmed based on operational needs.
Key focus areas of the role include:
Maintaining Great Walk huts, campsites, toilets, and associated facilities to a high standard
Carrying out routine track and structure maintenance to ensure tracks remain safe, accessible, and well presented
Being the on-site point of contact for visitors, providing clear information on hut operations, etiquette, track conditions, weather, and safety
Monitoring and promoting compliance with the Great Walks booking system, and collecting and reconciling hut and campsite fees where required
Maintaining daily radio schedules and supporting field communications
Responding to incidents, including providing first aid
Assisting with conservation, recreation, heritage, and biodiversity tasks as required
Working collaboratively with rangers, volunteers, contractors, iwi, and local partners to deliver maintenance and conservation outcomes
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
This role suits someone with strong backcountry capability, practical problem-solving skills, and a collaborative approach. You’ll be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, often in isolated environments.
If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:
Good level of physical fitness (backcountry experience)
Ability to adhere to strict health, safety and well-being systems
Field delivery skills such as scrub baring and track maintenance
Basic infrastructure maintenance skills (solar, septic & water)
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Trapping, monitoring, predator and weed control.
Planning and organisational skills.
Emotional intelligence.
Tech savvy skills with ability to learn new systems.
Ability to work alone and within a team; task prioritisation, initiative.
Comfortable sharing staff accommodation or living quarters with other team members when required.
Strong health and safety focus.
Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work with a range of stakeholders.
Ability to work in isolated environments.
Hands-on practical skillset.
Comfortable engaging and working in partnership with iwi and tangata whenua
Full New Zealand Driver Licence with the ability to drive a manual desired
Desirable:
Experience and/or qualifications with chainsaws, scrub bars and driving LUVs
A current First Aid certificate.
He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?
DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default.
Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now
Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted.
If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
The salary range for this position is $60,703 to $66,911 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.
Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.
Due to high volumes, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.
Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday 2 March 2026.
Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible .
Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries , please contact Zak Gibbs, Principal Ranger, [email protected]
Use your practical outdoor skills to support conservation, biodiversity, and exceptional visitor experiences
Salary range: $60,703 – $66,911
Permanent, full-time role based in Takaka
Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa
The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.
Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.
Mō te tūranga | About the role
As a Hut Warden on the Abel Tasman Coast Track and Heaphy Track Great Walks, your role will focus on the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and care of huts, campsites, and associated tracks, while helping to ensure visitors have a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience.
Off-season / winter work:
During the off-season and winter months, you will support local operations at Tōtaranui Campground and the Tākaka District Office. This schedule may vary from year to year and will be confirmed based on operational needs.
Key focus areas of the role include:
Maintaining Great Walk huts, campsites, toilets, and associated facilities to a high standard
Carrying out routine track and structure maintenance to ensure tracks remain safe, accessible, and well presented
Being the on-site point of contact for visitors, providing clear information on hut operations, etiquette, track conditions, weather, and safety
Monitoring and promoting compliance with the Great Walks booking system, and collecting and reconciling hut and campsite fees where required
Maintaining daily radio schedules and supporting field communications
Responding to incidents, including providing first aid
Assisting with conservation, recreation, heritage, and biodiversity tasks as required
Working collaboratively with rangers, volunteers, contractors, iwi, and local partners to deliver maintenance and conservation outcomes
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
This role suits someone with strong backcountry capability, practical problem-solving skills, and a collaborative approach. You’ll be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, often in isolated environments.
If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:
Good level of physical fitness (backcountry experience)
Ability to adhere to strict health, safety and well-being systems
Field delivery skills such as scrub baring and track maintenance
Basic infrastructure maintenance skills (solar, septic & water)
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Trapping, monitoring, predator and weed control.
Planning and organisational skills.
Emotional intelligence.
Tech savvy skills with ability to learn new systems.
Ability to work alone and within a team; task prioritisation, initiative.
Comfortable sharing staff accommodation or living quarters with other team members when required.
Strong health and safety focus.
Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work with a range of stakeholders.
Ability to work in isolated environments.
Hands-on practical skillset.
Comfortable engaging and working in partnership with iwi and tangata whenua
Full New Zealand Driver Licence with the ability to drive a manual desired
Desirable:
Experience and/or qualifications with chainsaws, scrub bars and driving LUVs
A current First Aid certificate.
He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?
DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default.
Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now
Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted.
If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
The salary range for this position is $60,703 to $66,911 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.
Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.
Due to high volumes, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.
Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday 2 March 2026.
Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible .
Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries , please contact Zak Gibbs, Principal Ranger, [email protected]
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Hut Warden (Ranger) position is now open for candidates interested in the Delivery Boy Jobs sector. This role in Takaka offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Delivery Boy Jobs is a plus.
