Job Description

Do you enjoy working outdoors, take pride in seeing the results of your work, and have a passion for creating attractive, well-maintained public spaces?

As a Mobile Garden Team Member, you'll play an important role in helping keep Napier looking its best. From roadside gardens and median strips to seasonal displays and public green spaces, you'll help care for the landscapes that residents and visitors enjoy every day. Whether you're planting, pruning, maintaining garden beds or operating equipment, you'll take pride in delivering work that makes a visible difference across our city.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys practical outdoor work and isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves. You'll work as part of a supportive team while also taking ownership of your allocated garden areas, helping maintain them to a consistently high standard throughout the seasons.

We're looking for someone with practical gardening or horticultural experience, a strong work ethic and a genuine pride in producing quality work. While horticultural qualifications are an advantage, they're not essential - we're equally interested in people who bring the right attitude, solid experience and a willingness to keep learning.

Te Āheinga - The Opportunity

In this varied role you'll:

• Care for and develop roadside gardens, median strips and public green spaces

• Plant, prune, mulch, weed and maintain seasonal garden displays to a high standard

• Monitor plant health and carry out treatments such as fertilising and spraying where required

• Operate and maintain a range of gardening equipment and machinery safely

• Support landscaping projects and assist the wider Parks and Open Spaces team when required

• Help maintain a safe working environment while working across Napier's road network

He kōrero mōhou - About You

You'll bring:

• Around two years' practical gardening or horticultural experience

• Experience with planting, pruning, mowing, spraying and general garden maintenance

• Confidence operating gardening equipment and machinery safely

• A full Class 1 Driver Licence

• A proactive attitude and pride in producing quality work

• The ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions

• A willingness to work safely on roadsides and median strips

• Traffic Management and/or HT Licence experience would be an advantage, but isn't essential

Ngā painga mōhou - What we Offer

• 5 weeks' annual leave after 2 years service

• Discounted health insurance work scheme + Eye test subsidy

• Retailer discounts + study assistance

• Employee Assistance Program (OCP)

• Quarterly values awards + Birthday vouchers + Social club

• Free flu vaccinations (annual)

• Ka Awatea Cultural Wānanga + NCC Kapa Haka

• Te Reo Māori language classes

This is a permanent, full time role working 42.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. You’ll be based out of Napier City Council’s operational depot in Onekawa, but spend much of your time working on the network across the city.

The hourly rate for this role is between $28.68 - $29.90 (plus KiwiSaver if eligible), with the final offer depending on your skills and experience.

We will be interviewing applications as we receive them and may close the role when we have found the right person.

He kōrero mō Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri - About NCC

At Napier City Council, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and work to make our hiring process fair and accessible. If you need any support or adjustments during your application or interview, let us know—we’re happy to help!

Our success is grounded in strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, supported by our Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which builds cultural capability through education and training.

Before you join, you’ll need to complete pre-employment checks (including criminal background checks, with some roles requiring health screening and drug & alcohol testing). As an NCC employee, you may also be called on to support Civil Defence emergencies when our community needs us most.

Please visit Napier City Council Careers website to see full job description

– Mobile Garden Team Member