Conservation Field Officer

Love the outdoors?

Passionate about protecting Aotearoa's native places?

If you're someone who thrives in nature and wants to make a real difference for New Zealand's environment, this could be the role for you.

We're looking for motivated, practical people to join our close-knit team carrying out pest plant and animal control, native planting, and other hands-on conservation projects across Aotearoa.

About Us

At Kawakawa Environmental, we're dedicated to restoring and protecting native ecosystems throughout the North Island, with a strong focus on the Wellington region.

Our team works on a wide variety of conservation and restoration projects, including :

Pest plant control – Removing invasive species to give native plants space to thrive.

Pest animal control – Helping protect native birds and forests by managing possums, rats, stoats and other pests.

Restoration planting – Planting thousands of native trees and shrubs each winter to restore degraded areas.

Monitoring and surveys – Keeping track of how native species and habitats are recovering over time.

We're a small, passionate team that takes pride in doing high-quality, meaningful work for the environment.

About the Role

You'll be part of a hands-on field team working in a variety of environments - from remote forest parks to local reserves and coastal sites.

Your days could include :

Controlling pest plants and animals

Planting native trees and shrubs

Collecting field data and helping track progress on projects

No two weeks are the same - one week you might be deep in the bush, the next you'll be restoring native habitats closer to home.

The work is practical, rewarding and perfect for people who love the outdoors.

At times, you'll need to work away from home for short trips (usually 5–10 days a month over summer) when working in more remote areas.

We're Looking for Someone Who :

Is passionate about conservation and enjoys outdoor, practical work

Is physically fit and comfortable working in rugged or remote conditions

Works well in a team and communicates clearly

Has some experience or strong interest in pest control, restoration planting, or general conservation work

Holds a full NZ driver's license

Training is provided for all aspects of the role, which may include :

Safe chemical use (GrowSafe)

4x4 and LUV driving

Chainsaw and equipment use

Biodiversity monitoring

Advanced first aid

If you already have some of these skills or qualifications, that's a bonus - but enthusiasm and a great attitude are most important.

What We Offer

Guaranteed starting rate at or above the NZ Living Wage

Work that directly helps protect and restore Aotearoa's natural environment

Variety - from remote backcountry trips to local planting projects

On-the-job training and career development in conservation fieldwork

Supportive, down-to-earth team culture

Quality outdoor gear and PPE provided

Ready to Get Started?

If you're keen to be part of a team making a real difference for Aotearoa's native species and ecosystems, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications will be reviewed as they come in, so don't wait - get in touch today!

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