Job Description

• ​1x fixed-term full-time opportunity October 2026 to April 2027
• 1x Permanent seasonal opportunity working full time for the seasonal period October to April/ May each year
• Salary: $61,189 - $67,466
• Based on Rakiura Stewart Island – Staying on site at Staff Quarters at either Port William Hut or North Arm Hut on the renowned Rakiura Track

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa

He angitūtanga | About the role

This is not your average job. As a Hut Warden on the Rakiura Great Walk Track, you'll live and work in one of New Zealand's most unique and remote natural environments, helping ensure the track's huts and visitor facilities are safe, welcoming, and well maintained.

As a Hut Warden you will provide a warm and informative presence for visitors, undertake routine facility maintenance, monitor hut and track conditions, and support conservation outcomes in this special part of Aotearoa. You'll play an important role in enhancing the visitor experience, sharing knowledge about the area's natural and cultural heritage, and promoting responsible use of the Great Walk.

The roster pattern is: 10 days on, 4 days off from Monday though Wednesday.

The summer season includes peak visitor periods, public holidays, and extended periods of high visitor demand. Hut Wardens are expected to work through holiday periods, including Christmas and New Year, as part of the roster while maintaining a high standard of visitor service and facility management.

Your work will include:

• Maintaining huts, tracks and facilities through daily cleaning, upkeep, and routine maintenance to ensure a high-quality visitor experience.
• Monitoring and maintaining hut systems and infrastructure, including water supplies, wastewater systems, solar power systems, and other visitor facilities.
• Providing visitors with information on weather, track conditions, route options, hut use, conservation values, and alpine safety.
• Supporting visitor safety through education, incident response, and basic compliance activities while providing a positive and professional presence in the backcountry.
• Recording visitor statistics, maintenance activities, incidents, and work reports using mobile technology.
• Working independently in remote locations and spending extended periods living in hut environments.

Click here for the Role Description  

Click here for the Role Description 

Click here for Applicant Information Sheet

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

If you have some of the following, we'd love to hear from you:

• Good communication skills and the ability to relate well to a diverse range of people.
• Experience maintaining recreation facilities, including cleaning, painting, basic repairs, and general upkeep.
• Experience with track maintenance, outdoor infrastructure, or practical maintenance work.
• A high level of fitness and ability to work in a physically demanding environment.
• Experience tramping and navigating in the backcountry, with strong outdoor skills and judgement.
• A current First Aid certificate.
• A good understanding of conservation and New Zealand's natural and cultural heritage.
• Ability to work independently and confidently in remote and isolated locations.
• Full NZ driver licence.
• Experience using scrub cutters, hedge trimmers and track maintenance.
• Knowledge of hut operations, visitor services, or recreation asset maintenance.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.

Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now

Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We’re unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we’ll try to accommodate.

Salary: $61,189 to $67,446, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 20 September 2026.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, contact Seasonal Jobs seasonaljobs@doc.govt.nz