Parks Operator

• Permanent 1.0 FTE for Cambridge (Mowing)
• Permanent 1.0 FTE for Te Awamutu (Gardening)

The Waipā District prides itself on its abundance of recreational whenua (land) enjoyed by both locals and visitors. Taking care of it all are our Parks Operators. You will see our passionate team out and about tending flower beds, planting trees, mowing lawns, raking leaves, trimming bushes, maintaining our cemeteries and much more!

About The Role

We are looking for two full-time Parks Operators to join our awesome team - one with a focus on gardening around Te Awamutu and one mowing in Cambridge and surrounds. In a role like this, you get to see the direct results of your hard mahi making an impact in our community spaces - creating something for all to enjoy.

The hard work and dedication of our Parks & Reserves team ensures that residents and visitors enjoy the beauty of the Waipā District all year round. We are looking for people who share in that vision and can add to the great team dynamic we enjoy daily.

Our work programme changes depending on the season and we're a flexible team that all muck in to help each other out. Workdays are Monday to Friday, 7.30am - 4.00pm, or a little bit earlier during the summer.

About You

Here at Waipā District Council, team fit is just as important as technical abilities, so you will need to be a team player, have loads of initiative, and be able to communicate effectively with colleagues and members of our communities alike. Along with that, a good level of physical fitness and a strong focus on safety and customers will be needed due to the nature of the role. 

Our ideal candidate for the mowing-focused role will have previous experience with mowing and/or operating machinery such as tractors/small trucks, but will be happy to get into whatever needs doing. For the gardening role, previous experience in a similar role is also ideal, although training and support is available with either role to help you sharpen your skillset!

What we offer

Waipā District Council is a growth Council with the challenges and opportunities that affords. We pride ourselves on fostering a fun, family-friendly, and community-focused work environment. When you join us, you'll benefit from:

• Wellbeing and lifestyle support:
  o Access to discounted gym memberships and online wellbeing resources.
  o Free annual medical check-ups (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.) and flu vaccinations.
  o Contributions towards eye tests, lenses, and frames.
• Professional growth:
  o Financial support and leave for study programs relevant to your role.
  o Leadership development and emerging leader programmes.
  o Reimbursement for professional memberships with recognised industry bodies.
• Leave and recognition:
  o 4 weeks of annual leave, plus 3 additional special leave days between Christmas and New Year's (or soon after, for some Parks Operators when rostered to work those days)
  o An extra week of leave after 5 years of service.
  o Morning tea and prezzy card recognition for service milestones.
• Insurance and remuneration:
  o Life insurance scheme.
  o Medical insurance.
  o Annual performance and remuneration reviews aligned with market benchmarks.
• Community and support:
  o Employee Benefits Programme with discounts on retail, travel, and more.
  o Free confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for personal and professional support.
  o A value and appreciation scheme to recognise colleagues at all levels.

About Waipā District

Nestled in the heart of the Waikato, Waipā District offers the perfect blend of professional opportunity and lifestyle. Known as the Home of Champions, our district boasts high-performance sports like rowing, cycling, and kayaking, as well as stunning natural reserves and vibrant communities. With excellent schools, quality housing, and proximity to Hamilton (commutable daily), plus Auckland and Tauranga (weekend escapes), Waipā is the place to achieve true work-life balance. The Waipā District is one of the fastest growing areas in New Zealand. It is anticipated that by 2050 an additional 25,000 people will be calling Waipā home. 

If you would like to join us in making the Waipā District a great place to be, then apply today. Please specify with your cover letter whether your preference is for gardening or mowing or you wish to be considered for either. We can't wait to hear from you.

Application Closing Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026 at 5:00pm.