This is a special opportunity to join Raukūmara Pae Maunga as a Team Lead in a hands-on field leadership role delivering community engagement, pest control and monitoring operations as part of one of the most significant ecological and cultural restoration programmes in Aotearoa.

Raukūmara Pae Maunga is addressing decades of neglect and taking decisive action to restore the mauri of Raukūmara, a mountain to sea forest ecosystem on the East Coast of the North Island. Guided by the kaupapa "Kia haumanu te mauri o te Raukūmara", the Trust is building a specialist team to implement large-scale ecosystem recovery at a landscape scale. This role is available at two locations: Te Kaha and Ruatoria.

Reporting to the Mana Hautū (Operations Lead), the Team Lead is responsible for the delivery and implementation of community engagement, pest control (excluding ungulates), and monitoring operations on site. This role holds direct accountability for leading a team, coordinating day-to-day operational activities, and ensuring delivery within approved budgets and agreed work programmes.

Working closely with other Leads, the Team Lead will ensure alignment, collaboration and shared support across site operations, contributing to the long-term ecological and cultural revitalisation goals of Raukūmara Pae Maunga.

• Delivering community engagement, pest control, and monitoring operations at place, within agreed timeframes and scope.
• Coordinating and planning team activities at site in conjunction with kaimahi.
• Ensuring operational activities are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with agreed work plans.
• Identifying resourcing requirements and managing procurement of goods and services within delegated authority.
• Acting as Budget Supervisor as determined by the Mana Hautū, monitoring expenditure and managing financial resources responsibly.
• Leading and managing kaimahi, including setting annual expectations, monitoring performance and supporting individual and collective development.
• Reporting on operational progress, outcomes and forest health trends clearly and accurately to the Mana Hautū.
• Working collaboratively with the other Leads to ensure operational integration and shared support across site.

  

You will be a capable field leader with practical experience in pest control, monitoring or environmental restoration, a commitment to kaupapa Māori values, and the ability to lead a team to deliver results on the ground.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Practical experience in pest control, biodiversity monitoring, environmental restoration, or related field operations.
• Experience leading or supervising field-based teams.
• Strong operational planning and coordination capability.
• Working knowledge of pest control methodologies and safe field practices.
• Experience managing operational resources and working within approved budgets.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including reporting on operational outcomes.
• Sound understanding of Health & Safety requirements in field environments.
• Commitment to kaitiakitanga and upholding tikanga and kaupapa Māori values.

  

The following experience will be advantageous:

• Relevant qualification in conservation, environmental management, forestry, ecology, or a related discipline.
• Current industry certifications relevant to pest control or field operations.
• Experience working with iwi/hapū, community groups, or environmental partnerships.
• Training in leadership, supervision, performance management, or Health & Safety leadership.

  

This role offers a competitive salaried remuneration package, reflecting the nature and importance of the work.

Additional benefits include:

• The opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant ecological and cultural restoration initiative.
• A values-driven organisational kaupapa with strong iwi partnerships.
• Meaningful, place-based mahi with genuine community and environmental impact.
• A collaborative and inclusive team culture.

  

Do you have the skills, values and drive to make a real difference for the Raukūmara? We would love to hear from you.

This role is available at two locations, Te Kaha and Ruatoria.

All applications must be submitted via our online application portal. For further information, including a detailed position description, please contact PeopleHQ:

Email:  jobs@peoplehq.nz

Phone:  0800 4 PPLHQ

The successful candidate must be able to meet the requirements of background checks, including a police vetting check, validated identity, reference checks and hold a full driver licence. The successful candidate must also have the right to work in New Zealand.

Applications close:  Friday 24 July 2026