Employment

Kia Ora,

Thanks for showing an interest in employment opportunities with Hiking New Zealand. We offer seasonal hiking guide roles and can supplement that with work in nature conservation and restoration through an associated business, Southern Rewilding when available.

We have a supportive and friendly management team and actively build a great working environment. We offer quality work-based training, competitive pay rates, and some wonderful clients and native flora and fauna to interact with!

"When I started working for Hiking New Zealand I was so impressed with the diversity of the guides. In common was a passion for life (in all kinds of ways!) but foremost a love for nature and people. " - Kath (on our team since 2005)

Tourism summary - small group hiking tours

We have been operating our own trips since 1995. We also act as the New Zealand ground operator for a number of other travel companies that are based off-shore. Most of our 5 – 22 day itineraries involve good day walks combined with touring, comfortable accommodation and restaurant meals. We also run some of our ‘original’ more adventurous trips that get off the beaten track into the backcountry using huts and wild camping. Have a read over our hotel based New Zealand Grand Hikes and tougher Ultimate New Zealand tours. 

Conservation summary - biodiversity enhancement

Our work to protect and restore New Zealand’s natural heritage is more recent. The Government’s Jobs for Nature  funding initiative enabled our ready workforce of outdoor professionals to transition to conservation following the impact of COVID-19. We started doing wilding pine and predator control alongside the Department of Conservation, with a significant contribution to protecting orange fronted kākāriki in Arthur’s Pass National Park. Later we added tree planting to our list of services. Mostly (but not always) this work is Canterbury based. Have a read about one of our guide's experiences working in predator control.

Employment Opportunities

Guiding in the backcountry presents many challenges. You will need to be enthusiastic, love the outdoors (putting up with all that it throws at you!), and be able to pass that enjoyment and passion on to others. You will have proven initiative, know how to make the right decisions, and be prepared to take on responsibility. If this sounds attractive and a good fit for you, we encourage you to apply for the role outlined below.

Hiking guiding

Contract guide positions are available from September to May for Auckland to Auckland or Christchurch to Christchurch itineraries. It’s preferable, that you are based in or close to our operations bases of Auckland and Christchurch although not essential. Many of our tours employ a single driver-guide although we have increasing need for guides in assistant roles.

As the difficulty of the hikes across our tour styles varies, the hard skill and physical demands on our guides also varies, so we match tours to their capability and preference. We will not overlook applicants just because they have less backcountry experience. All guides do need to be well organised, and have interest in and broad knowledge of NZ's natural and cultural history and the ability to communicate this to others. For this reason we favour applicants who have been long term residents here.

Our hotel-based tours and backcountry guide roles both require:

• Good health and fitness. You will be physically capable of hiking in the areas you are working, which may include above the bushline. You need to be able to carry guide gear.
• Good group management and relational skills. You can work well with groups and take a leadership role confidently and competently, have excellent communication and organisational skills and be a great facilitator. (We have a range of clients from every nationality, from 18 to 80 years). 
• Understanding of risk management in the outdoors. You will be observant of your surroundings, able to identify any hazards and assess and manage the risks involved. You will assess the capability of the people you are guiding and the group as a whole, and always make safe and informed decisions. Trips may require experience crossing rivers and travelling across open tops. We have standard operating procedures which must always be followed. 
• Extensive New Zealand natural and cultural history knowledge. You enjoy sharing this knowledge and can give quality interpretation to clients on birds and plants, geology, and Māori and European history. You will be required to provide commentary while driving and out walking in the wilderness.
• Ability to drive a 12 to 17 seater mini-bus to a professional standard and manage a trailer is an advantage. A passenger ("P") endorsement on your New Zealand driver licence is a requirement for driver-guide roles. 
• You will have a current first aid certificate, preferably Outdoor First Aid.
• Flexibility to spend periods of time away from home. Our trips range in length from 5 to 14 days in one island. In a typical season a guide may work 30-90+ days depending on how much work they want.

Our more adventurous backcountry style trips additionally require applicants with:

• Substantial New Zealand tramping experience and outdoor leadership skills. You will have the ability to ‘think on your feet’ and if required, be comfortable guiding clients on tracks you may not be familiar with. Due to your solid outdoor background you will be operating well within your comfort zone. Backcountry travel and camping will be second nature to you. 
• Instructional skills with the ability to teach clients basic bushcraft; river crossing, navigation, fire lighting, camp cooking, pitching tents etc.
• On single-guide trips, it is crucial to get everybody involved, organising them to cook meals, set up camp etc. 

I have always felt supported 24/7 by the office team who keep us organised and intouch when we are out on trips."  - Kath 

Conservation work 

Project-based employment generally in the off-season can complement summer guiding work. North Canterbury based.

Role requirements are similar to guiding:

• Outdoor skills and experience gained through work or recreational pursuits.
• Health and safety awareness - competence in identifying hazards, and assessing and managing risk in the outdoors.
• Prepared to spend periods of time away from home in the backcountry working outdoors in all weathers for as long as it remains safe to do so.
• Physically fit and resilient in challenging conditions where you may be working alone.
• Self-reliant and personally motivated with independent organisational, planning and management skills.
• Capable of working well in a team, processing relevant information and making decisions.
• Current Outdoor First Aid certificate preferred.

Conservation work skills and experience are desirable although training is provided as required. This work is a great opportunity to make a difference for the region's biodiversity.

Contact

For information on current vacancies phone Martin Leslie on 021 127 0317

Email your application to: [email protected]

Application details