Work With Us

Restoration Site Assistant

Fixed-term 18 hrs/week until June 2027 (Tue, Wed, Fri) • Apply HERE

Join our team and help grow a greener future.

We’re looking for a practical, hands-on Restoration Site Assistant to help care for and maintain our local planting sites. This role plays an important part in ensuring that native plants become well-established and thrive, supporting long-term restoration outcomes in our community.

Our mahi is grounded in a non-chemical, manual and organic approach, working with nature and fostering a deep connection to te taiao.

About the Role

You’ll spend most of your time in nature, working across restoration sites to support plant health and site success. This includes weeding, watering, monitoring, and general plant care, as well as supporting nursery operations at our EcoHub in Birkdale.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys physical work, takes pride in doing a job well, and enjoys being out in nature.  We do have some events on weekends, so we would appreciate flexibility to work on an occasional Saturday. 

Key Responsibilities

  • Maintain restoration planting sites through weeding, watering and general plant care
  • Monitor plant health and identify issues such as pests, plant loss or irrigation needs
  • Support the ongoing success of newly established planting areas
  • Assist with plant preparation and delivery from the nursery
  • Provide basic nursery support (watering, irrigation checks, general maintenance)
  • Transport plants, tools and equipment to sites (manual van)
  • Help keep tools, equipment and sites well organised and maintained

What You'll Bring

  • An interest in native plants, restoration or conservation (experience is a bonus, but training and support will be provided)
  • Experience of manual, organic restoration practices
  • A love of working in nature and good physical fitness
  • Reliability and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  • A practical, organised approach and pride in quality work
  • Curiosity and a willingness to learn and grow
  • Basic IT skills (e.g. recording plant monitoring) are an advantage
  • A full driver licence and confidence driving a manual vehicle

Why This Role is Special

  • See the direct impact of your work as sites establish and flourish
  • Spend your days outdoors, active and connected to nature
  • Contribute to meaningful environmental and community-focused mahi
  • Be part of a supportive, purpose-driven team

If you’re someone who enjoys working with your hands, being out in nature, and contributing to the well-being of our environment and community, we’d love to hear from you. 

How to Apply

Please apply through Seek HERE.

Send us your CV and a short cover letter telling us a bit about yourself and why this role feels like the right next step for you.

We are looking for the successful candidate to start as soon as possible. We will start considering applications as they are received, so we encourage you to apply.

About Kaipātiki Project

Kaipātiki Project is an innovative EcoHub based on Auckland's North Shore. Our vision is to grow a sustainable future for people and nature. We achieve this through a number of projects, including native bush regeneration and stream care, a large-scale native plant nursery, a zero waste hub, community composting hubs and food gardens.

We are also involved in several sustainability networks including EnviroHubs Aotearoa; Iwi, Hapū Community Nursery Network; and Network North to name a few. You may also have seen one of our keystone community engagement projects, which we partner with three other EnviroHubs to run each year: EcoFest.

We are committed to upholding Te Tiriti O Waitangi and to embracing Te Ao Māori in the workplace. We partner with mana whenua and mataawaka Māori where possible, to understand how mātauranga Māori can improve environmental outcomes in our work.

Our values:

  • Manaakitanga - We seek to encourage and uplift all those we welcome and work with.
  • Whanaungatanga - We nurture relationships and reciprocal connections that build belonging to community and place.
  • Kaitiakitanga - We continue to develop shared caring for and responsibility to our local places.

What it's like to work at Kaipātiki Project

Our team culture is kind and welcoming. There is a genuinely loving atmosphere where everyone is heard and included. We operate on a flat hierarchy, meaning that everyone is responsible for their own area of work, and we work alongside each other toward a common goal, rather than being ranked and managed. It also means that there is room to add your own flair and creative input, to bring your ideas to life, and to help steer the direction of the project! Working with Kaipātiki Project, you will also have many opportunities to meet people, attend relevant workshops and events, and grow your network within the sustainability arena in Auckland.

We are a passionate group of people who love what we do, and care deeply for our environment! If this sounds like the kind of place you'd like to work, please take a look at the three positions we currently have available, and get in touch!