As Orana approaches its 50th year, we are reflective and determined to continue achieving our conservation goals. We are looking for team members to help us continue our mission to connect people with nature, and to educate and inspire ourcommunitytowards creating a bright future for the next 50 years, and beyond.
He angitūtanga: The opportunity
As a Maintenance & Development Assistant, you will contribute to the day-to-day maintenance requirements of our Park operations. This role is varied and can include general maintenance of the visitor area grounds, basic plumbing repairs and other general repair work.
The role is fixed term to offer additional assistance to our team and ensure sufficient cover is provided while various projects are underway. Your contribution will help Orana deliver enjoyable and rewarding experiences for our visitors.
Mō mātou: About Us
Orana is owned and operated by Orana Wildlife Trust, a registered charitable trust and not-for-profit organisation. Conservation is a core part of our mission and the key reason Orana exists. Our on-site habitat restoration and predator pest control programmes provide a connecting wildlife corridor and safe haven for some of Canterbury’s most threatened species.
Orana Wildlife Park participates in many zoo-based breeding programmes in partnership with the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA), the Zoo & Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA), DOC and others. We are committed to continuing our efforts towards these breeding programmes into the future.
He kōrero mōu: About you
Ideally, you will have confidence and general skills across a wide range of areas, an experienced handy person, with great DIY skills and experience with general groundskeeping.
You will also have:
Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer
You will join an incredibly passionate team who are committed to their animals and the conservation, education and visitor experience goals.
This is a fixed term, full-time position working a set 5 day roster that will include a weekend
day and public holidays will be observed with a day off.
The rostered days of the position are yet to be determined, but could be either Sunday to Thursday OR Tuesday to Saturday. The salary range for this position is $57,000 - $60,000 gross per
annum.
As a member of our team we are able to offer you:
Ētahi atu kōrero: Extra information
If you are adaptable and open-minded, with a desire to push yourself to benefit conservation and
animal welfare, APPLY NOW through our website link. Provide us with a letter of introduction and CV detailing your skills/experience relevant to the role.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
Applications for this position close on Sunday 3rd May 2026,
5pm.
For over 46 years, Orana Wildlife Trust (a registered charity) has operated Orana Wildlife Park, an internationally recognised zoo and Canterbury icon attraction. The Trust operates in a commercially astute manner to: provide quality recreational experiences for local people and visitors to Canterbury; conserve endangered native and exotic wildlife; educate all visitors (especially children) about environmental and conservation issues; and support research.
Set in 185 hectares, Orana Wildlife Park is Aotearoa’s only open range wildlife park. We care for over 1,000 animals representing 90 different species, many of which are critically endangered. Orana is a conservation powerhouse making significant contributions to recovery programmes for Aotearoa’s threatened species (e.g. kākāriki karaka, Aotearoa’s rarest parakeet). We connect visitors with wildlife and inspire people to care about the plight of endangered species.
Orana specialises in providing amazing visitor experiences, including the fantastic Lion Encounter (the only one of its type in the Southern Hemisphere), meeting NZ’s only gorillas, encountering mischievous kea, observing kiwi, hand feeding majestic giraffe, eyeballing the magnificent white rhino and much more. The Park is a key regional asset contributing to economic recovery and growth and an important facility for community well-being.
As a registered charity, Orana relies on gate-takings to operate. We separately raise 100% of funds for all developments, animal transfers and involvement in key conservation programmes.
