Job Description
Are you passionate about the care of our natural terrestrial and marine areas?
Contribute to crucial and meaningful conservation mahi.
Permanent, full-time role based in Kaikoura.
Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa | Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa
The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature spaces and species across Aotearoa.
Tangata whenua are inextricably linked to the whenua and te taiao, and we desire a future where whānau, hapū and iwi can thrive in their role as rangatira and kaitiaki.
Tō tātou taiāo. Tō tātou hītori. He tāonga tūturu nō Aotearoa. Maioha rawatia. Poipoia rawatia. Tukua.
Our nature. Our history. It's New Zealand's unique legacy. Enjoy it. Enrich it. Pass it on.
He angitūtanga | About the role
Are you passionate about the care of our natural terrestrial and marine areas? Would you thrive in an exciting role with a diverse range of tasks and responsibilities?
The South Marlborough District team is seeking a highly motivated person to join their biodiversity team, to help implement important biodiversity work, both terrestrial and marine in the wider Kaikoura area.
As a Ranger, Biodiversity, you will be responsible for the implementation of a wide range of key biodiversity work programmes within the wider Kaikoura area. You will be working under the direction of the senior biodiversity staff in the district who are based in the Renwick office.
The position will be focussed on:
pest species work (both plant and animal)
threatened species monitoring and management (mainly plants, but including insects, birds, and reptiles)
environmental impact assessments and wildlife response work.
This is a permanent, full-time role based in Kaikoura.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:
Reasonable level of experience in a variety of field-based conservation work.
Comfortable working in the New Zealand backcountry (sometimes alone), using a hand-held GPS, and with a good level of past outdoor work experience.
Self-starter with great communication skills, willing to follow direction, but also take initiative in the appropriate situation.
Experience in pest plant (weed) control and management.
Experience in species and/or ecosystem monitoring.
Pragmatic team player who can work closely with others to deliver and achieve conservation outcomes across the district.
Experience with data collection and management and writing small project-based reports.
Computer literate and able to quickly learn DOC's internal systems, with training and support.
Manage operational health and safety in tough outdoor situations.
Ability to work and build successful relationships with Iwi, community groups, local government and other stakeholders to enable key biodiversity work to be undertaken in the Kaikoura area and beyond.
Desirable:
Experience in project/contractor management.
Experience and training in 4WD use.
Experience in the use of power tools including chainsaw and scrub-bars.
Experience in pest control and hold a current New Zealand firearms licence.
Mō te tīma | About the team
The Department of Conservation South Marlborough district team is spread over two offices, with the main office located in Renwick, and a satellite office in Kaikoura. There are a total of approximately 20 staff working across the district, with 6 based in the Kaikoura office.
Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | 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.
You can learn more about what we offer here.
Tono ināianei | Apply now
If you require any accommodations or adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do let us know.
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.
The salary range for this position is $60,314 to $75,603 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 overs the whole period of employment.
Recruitment agencies: please note, due to high volumes we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.
Rā katinga | Applications close at 11:5+ pm on Monday, 28 October 2026
Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries, contact Pat Crowe, Senior Ranger, at pcrowe@doc.govt.nz
Taupānga | Job reference: DOC/1818516
Contribute to crucial and meaningful conservation mahi.
Permanent, full-time role based in Kaikoura.
Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa | Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa
The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature spaces and species across Aotearoa.
Tangata whenua are inextricably linked to the whenua and te taiao, and we desire a future where whānau, hapū and iwi can thrive in their role as rangatira and kaitiaki.
Tō tātou taiāo. Tō tātou hītori. He tāonga tūturu nō Aotearoa. Maioha rawatia. Poipoia rawatia. Tukua.
Our nature. Our history. It's New Zealand's unique legacy. Enjoy it. Enrich it. Pass it on.
He angitūtanga | About the role
Are you passionate about the care of our natural terrestrial and marine areas? Would you thrive in an exciting role with a diverse range of tasks and responsibilities?
The South Marlborough District team is seeking a highly motivated person to join their biodiversity team, to help implement important biodiversity work, both terrestrial and marine in the wider Kaikoura area.
As a Ranger, Biodiversity, you will be responsible for the implementation of a wide range of key biodiversity work programmes within the wider Kaikoura area. You will be working under the direction of the senior biodiversity staff in the district who are based in the Renwick office.
The position will be focussed on:
pest species work (both plant and animal)
threatened species monitoring and management (mainly plants, but including insects, birds, and reptiles)
environmental impact assessments and wildlife response work.
This is a permanent, full-time role based in Kaikoura.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:
Reasonable level of experience in a variety of field-based conservation work.
Comfortable working in the New Zealand backcountry (sometimes alone), using a hand-held GPS, and with a good level of past outdoor work experience.
Self-starter with great communication skills, willing to follow direction, but also take initiative in the appropriate situation.
Experience in pest plant (weed) control and management.
Experience in species and/or ecosystem monitoring.
Pragmatic team player who can work closely with others to deliver and achieve conservation outcomes across the district.
Experience with data collection and management and writing small project-based reports.
Computer literate and able to quickly learn DOC's internal systems, with training and support.
Manage operational health and safety in tough outdoor situations.
Ability to work and build successful relationships with Iwi, community groups, local government and other stakeholders to enable key biodiversity work to be undertaken in the Kaikoura area and beyond.
Desirable:
Experience in project/contractor management.
Experience and training in 4WD use.
Experience in the use of power tools including chainsaw and scrub-bars.
Experience in pest control and hold a current New Zealand firearms licence.
Mō te tīma | About the team
The Department of Conservation South Marlborough district team is spread over two offices, with the main office located in Renwick, and a satellite office in Kaikoura. There are a total of approximately 20 staff working across the district, with 6 based in the Kaikoura office.
Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | 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.
You can learn more about what we offer here.
Tono ināianei | Apply now
If you require any accommodations or adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do let us know.
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.
The salary range for this position is $60,314 to $75,603 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 overs the whole period of employment.
Recruitment agencies: please note, due to high volumes we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.
Rā katinga | Applications close at 11:5+ pm on Monday, 28 October 2026
Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries, contact Pat Crowe, Senior Ranger, at pcrowe@doc.govt.nz
Taupānga | Job reference: DOC/1818516
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Ranger Biodiversity position is now open for candidates interested in the 12th Pass Jobs sector. This role in Kaikoura 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 12th Pass Jobs is a plus.
