Summer Placement Programme 2025/2026
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Locations: Takapō / Tekapo, Tāhuna / Queenstown, Waiau / Franz Josef, Te Anau, Te Rua-o-te-Moko / Fiordland, Rotorua, Taupō-nui-a-Tia / Taupō, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland
Hourly Rate: Living Wage
Duration: Summer Season (Flexible start/finish dates)
Applications close: 1 September 2025
He ara hou mōu - Your pathway starts here
Are you ready to celebrate your Ngāi Tahu whakapapa and explore the exciting world of tourism?
Do you want to work in some of the most stunning places in Aotearoa?
Are you looking for experience, guidance, and a chance to grow your Ngāi Tahutanga?
This is a great opportunity for rangatahi and pakeke
Ngāi Tahu Tourism is offering a range of exciting summer placements for passionate, curious, and committed Ngāi Tahu individuals. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take the next step, this programme is designed to support you on your journey.
What you can get involved in
- Guide visitors through the All Blacks Experience in Tāmaki Makaurau- share the story of our national teams with pride
- Work in our vibrant retail stores across many of our businesses - help manuhiri take home a piece of the magic
- Live the rural lifestyle at Agrodome in Rotorua- connect with the land, animals, and visitors
- Explore the stars at Dark Sky Project in Takapō - perfect for those fascinated by the night sky and te ao Māori
- Support glacier adventures with Franz Josef Glacier Guides in Waiau- help prepare guests for their icy adventure
- Share Māori stories and culture with visitors from around the world
- Get hands-on with mechanics and learn a trade working on one of New Zealand's most powerful commercial jet boating fleets at Hukafalls Jet, Shotover Jet, or Dart River Adventures
- Gain experience in customer service - from front-of-house to behind-the-scenes operations
Not sure which role or location is right for you?
That's totally fine. We've got a team ready to kōrero with you and your whānau to help find the best fit - whether it's the right role, location, or pathway forward. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Spread the word
Even if this opportunity isn't for you, it might be perfect for someone you know. Share it with your whānau, your cousins, your mates - anyone who might be keen. Let's uplift more of our people into exciting careers in tourism.
What we're looking for
- You're a registered Ngāi Tahu member (still to register? No problem, we can assist with that too!)
- You bring energy, commitment, and a willingness to learn
- You're excited to represent your iwi and grow your career
A safe and supportive workplace
Ngāi Tahu Tourism is a fun, unique, and safe place to work - and we want to keep it that way. Before you start, you'll go through a few checks, including drug and alcohol testing. Health and safety is a big deal to us - it's how we look after you, our team, and our manuhiri.
Ready to take the first step?
Apply now - nau mai, haere mai, tauti mai!
If you're excited and ready to jump in, don't wait—submit your application today via our jobs website:
Ngāi Tahu Tourism Jobs - Join our Work Family | Ngāi Tahu Tourism
Need a bit of support with your application? We can connect you with a mentor to guide you through the process.
To get started, reach out to:
Kate Smith - kate.smith@ngaitahu.iwi.nz | 📱 021 241 2579
Jo Mackenzie - jo.mackenzie@ngaitahu.iwi.nz | 📱 021 246 6661
Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui - we can't wait to welcome you to the whānau.
Apply Now
