Kiwi Park is a family‑owned conservation sanctuary dedicated to wildlife care, species management, and impactful conservation storytelling. As we celebrate 40 years in February, it’s an incredibly exciting time to join the team. With several major projects underway and a renewed focus on long‑term conservation planning, we’re entering one of the most dynamic phases in our history. We are seeking an experienced and passionate Wildlife Manager to lead our animal care and conservation engagement teams.
Position Overview
This leadership role oversees a team of 10–15 staff across two core areas :
- Wildlife Team – animal husbandry, species management, and facility care
- Conservation Show Team – staff training, daily presentations, and public engagement
You’ll ensure high standards of animal welfare, staff leadership, operational excellence, and strategic delivery in alignment with Kiwi Park’s Master Plan.
Key Responsibilities
Wildlife Care & Species Management
Lead best‑practice animal husbandry with a strong focus on New Zealand native birds and reptiles, including species under national recovery programmes.Ensure exceptional daily care, welfare monitoring, and habitat management.Oversee species planning and coordinate with national breeding and conservation programmes.Conservation Shows & Visitor Engagement
Manage, train, and support the conservation show team to deliver engaging, educational presentations.Ensure messaging is accurate, impactful, and aligned with our conservation values.Permitting & Compliance
Prepare, manage, and maintain all DOC permits, applications, transfers, reporting, and regulatory compliance.Prior experience with complex DOC permitting is a major advantage.Strategic & Departmental Planning
Develop and execute the department’s operational plan, aligning projects and goals with the broader Master Plan.Lead multi‑stage projects – from planning and budgeting to execution and delivery.Identify opportunities for innovation and improvements in animal care, conservation outcomes, and visitor engagement.Team Leadership
Lead a team of 10–15 wildlife keepers and presenters, fostering a positive, collaborative, and high‑performing culture.Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training, development, and performance management.Stakeholder Relationships
Build effective relationships with DOC, ZAA, iwi partners, researchers, veterinary teams, and wider conservation networks.Health, Safety & Operational Standards
Maintain robust H&S practices for both staff and wildlife.Ensure all wildlife facilities and show environments meet high operational standards.What We’re Looking For
Proven experience with New Zealand native wildlife, particularly native birds and reptiles.Strong knowledge of captive wildlife management, conservation, and species recovery frameworks.Significant experience with DOC permitting, regulatory compliance, and wildlife legislation.Demonstrated ability in strategic planning, project management, and department‑wide goal setting.Experienced leader confident managing a team of 10+ staff across both husbandry and public‑facing roles.Highly organised, proactive, and able to align day‑to‑day operations with long‑term strategy.Skilled in reporting, budgeting, planning, and administration.Experience with ZIMS, PMx, or similar systems is a bonus.A genuine passion for conservation and team development.Why Join Us
As Kiwi Park celebrates 40 years, you’ll be joining at a milestone moment with significant projects and positive change happening across the organisation. You’ll play a pivotal role in protecting native species and shaping the future of our conservation work. We offer a supportive, energetic environment, professional development opportunities, and the chance to contribute to meaningful, real‑world conservation outcomes. A company vehicle is included to support your work across the park.
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