Wildlife Keeper – West Coast Wildlife Centre – Franz Josef

Fixed-term position from September 2025 – April 2026 (Seven Months)

• Do you dream of spending your days surrounded by adorable kororā and charismatic kiwi?
• Do you want to spend a summer in the most beautiful area in the country?

We might have the best job ever waiting for you!

We’re on the hunt for a Fixed-Term Wildlife Keeper to join our team from September to April, covering the peak hatching and visitor season. This unique role works across our Kiwi, Tuatara, and Penguin departments, giving you the rare opportunity to care and advocate for three of Aotearoa’s most iconic native species.

Who Are We?
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is one of the largest kiwi incubation and hatching facilities in New Zealand. We’ve played a pivotal role in Operation Nest Egg, bringing the rarest kiwi taxa – rowi and Haast tokoeka – back from the brink of extinction. We are preparing for this season’s Haast tokoeka kiwi egg incubation and chick-rearing, but the conservation journey doesn’t stop there!

Our latest attraction, the West Coast Kororā Encounter, is currently under construction and set to open on Saturday, October 4, 2025. This exciting new development focuses on the care of non-releasable little blue penguins and educating visitors on their unique conservation plight.

What You’ll Be Doing …
The role is a wide-spanning mix of direct wildlife work and conservation advocacy. It includes:

• Daily husbandry, feeding, enrichment and enclosure maintenance for kiwi, tuatara and penguin residents
• Regular forest trips to collect enrichment materials for our animals
• Monitoring animal health and behaviour
• Hosting behind-the-scenes guided tours, educational keeper talks and answering wildlife questions from curious visitors within the facility
• Potential to be involved in Haast Tokoeka incubation and chick-rearing, depending on skill level.

What We’re Looking For …

• Experience working with native or exotic birds, ideally in a captive or rehabilitation setting. Hands-on experience with kiwi and/or penguin species would be advantageous.
• A qualification in wildlife management, zoology or a related field would be ideal but not essential.
• Flexible, observant, and cool under pressure
• Has exceptional communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to engage audiences of all ages.
• A passion for wildlife, conservation, and not afraid of cleaning fishy or pooey buckets!

Why Join Us?
You’ll be based in stunning Franz Josef Glacier, where rainforests, glaciers, and rare wildlife are part of your daily commute. Plus, you’ll be making a real impact in the conservation and advocacy of taonga species.

Contract dates: September 2025 – April 2026
Pay: Competitive hourly rate depending on experience
Hours: Negotiable – Expect to work 30-40 hours over four-five working days a week – including weekend days and public holidays.

Ready to waddle into something wonderful? Apply now by submitting your CV and a cover letter to our Wildlife Manager at kiwi@wildkiwi.co.nz.

Applications close when a suitable candidate is recruited.