In our 50th year, we are reflective and determined to continue achieving our conservation goals. We are looking for team members with commitment and motivation to help us continue our mission to connect people with nature, and to educate and inspire our community towards creating a bright future for the next 50 years, and beyond.
Orana Wildlife Park is owned and operated by Orana Wildlife Trust, a registered charity dedicated to protecting and restoring Aotearoa’s wildlife for future generations. Conservation sits at the heart of everything we do, from habitat restoration and predator control to creating safe havens and wildlife corridors for some of Canterbury’s most at-risk species.
As a not-for-profit, our impact is only possible through the support of our community. Alongside our work in breeding programmes with global and national partners such as the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA), the Zoo & Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA), DOC and others, we rely on philanthropic, corporate and community support to sustain and grow these efforts, ensuring we can continue to protect wildlife, inspire visitors, and contribute meaningfully to conservation outcomes into the future.
This is initially a 12-month fixed-term position with the intention to become a permanent role, subject to Orana’s financial position and long-term organisational requirements.
This is a senior management role, reporting directly to the CEO. As a member of Orana’s Senior Leadership Team, the Maintenance & Development Manager helps align teams with OWP’s strategy, contributes to collaborative decision-making, champions health and safety, supports an inclusive and accountable culture, and strengthens organisational capability, continuous improvement and stakeholder relationships.
We are looking for a highly practical and solutions-focused leader to oversee the maintenance, development and presentation of one of New Zealand's most unique workplaces. This is a hands-on role where you will lead a skilled maintenance and grounds team to ensure daily operations continue as you are walking the Park, troubleshooting infrastructure issues, supporting your team, coordinating contractors, or jumping in to help deliver a project when needed. You will be equally comfortable developing long-term asset plans and project budgets.
This is not your typical facilities management role, and no two days will be the same. This is a role for someone who enjoys making things happen and fulfilment when a project is complete. Someone who sees obstacles as opportunities, can confidently make decisions, and isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in alongside their team. As part of Orana's commitment to conservation and pest management, we'd particularly welcome applicants who hold a current New Zealand Firearms Licence and are interested in joining our firearms team. Training and ongoing support will be provided for the right candidate.
You are an experienced maintenance, facilities, construction or infrastructure leader who understands how to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery. You are highly adaptable and understanding of the changing environment we are privileged to work in. Most importantly, you are someone who is solutions focused, able to bring people together, make decisions and see projects through to completion.
You'll likely bring:
Experience within tourism, parks, wildlife, zoo, conservation or large public facilities environments would be advantageous, but not essential.
A high level of initiative, resilience and energy is essential, along with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and contribute across a busy, purpose-driven organisation.
He kōrero mō te tangata angitū: What will help you be successful?
You'll thrive in this role if you:
You’ll join a passionate, purpose-driven team who care deeply about our animals, our mission and each other, who are energised by the opportunity to grow and achieve something meaningful together. This is a full-time role based at Orana Wildlife Park.
As a member of our team, we offer:
If you're a practical leader who enjoys building, fixing, improving and delivering outcomes, and you're excited by the opportunity to contribute to wildlife conservation while leading a great team, we'd love to hear from you.
Please APPLY NOW and submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role.
This vacancy will close on Sunday 25th October, 5pm. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
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.
