Kaipātiki Project Board Member

Voluntary role • Apply HERE

Join our Board and help grow a greener future.

Kaipātiki Project is seeking passionate board members to guide our environmental mission. If you’re committed to sustainability, community, and strategic leadership, we’d love to hear from you. Our board offers strategic leadership and direction for the organisation, and consists of a dedicated and diverse group of individuals committed to our mission and impact.

How You Can Help

Share our commitment to the environment and community.
Advocate for Kaipātiki Project and uphold our values — Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga, and Kaitiakitanga.
Be passionate about and understanding of local sustainability.
Understand and commit to the Board's vision and purpose.
Attend and actively participate in Board meetings, contributing to strategic discussions.
Be an active member of a committee and provide advice and oversight relevant to your expertise.
Leverage your network and knowledge to support Kaipātiki Project’s growth, innovation and impact.

Time Commitment: Board and Committee Meetings

We meet once a month except in January. Our Board meetings take place second Thursday of the month from 6.30-8.30pm, alternating online and in-person at the Kaipātiki Project EcoHub in Birkdale. Our committee meetings are held mostly during the day, as it suits committee members.

How to Apply

Please email Illana Franklin, our Board Secretary at boardsecretary@kaipatiki.org.nz with a copy of your CV and a cover letter indicating why you are interested in this opportunity.

Regenerative Environments Support

Permanent role • 30 hrs/week • Job Description HERE • Apply HERE

Are you passionate about nature, restoration and community? Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to grow your skills and career in regenerative environments? If you are ready to roll up your sleeves, develop new skills and be a part of something meaningful then we look forward to hearing from you.

At Kaipātiki Project, we’re an in innovative Ecohub based in Birkdale, where people come together to connect with nature, share skills, and bring to life practical ways of caring for the environment and living more sustainably.

We’re looking for someone to join our Regenerative Environments team, helping us care for native plants in our nursery, nurture our teaching gardens and food forest, and support local restoration projects. You’ll also play a big part in welcoming volunteers, corporate groups and community members who come to learn, contribute and be inspired.

About the Role

Helping to grow and care for native plants, food gardens and healthy soils.
Getting stuck into restoration mahi – planting, pest and weed control, and looking after local ngahere and stream sites.
Supporting and guiding volunteers and community groups, making sure they feel included, valued and safe.
Helping with day-to-day nursery tasks like propagation, preparing plant orders, and looking after tools and equipment.
Collecting information and sharing what we learn, so we can keep improving and growing our impact.

About You

You don’t need to know everything – this is a role where you’ll learn a lot on the job. What matters most is that you:

Some knowledge and lots of enthusiasm for ecological restoration, food growing and sustainability.
Are happy doing hands-on mahi outdoors (sometimes physical, muddy and heavy work).
Enjoy being around people and can communicate with warmth and confidence.
Are keen to learn, ask questions, and share ideas.
Hold a full NZ driver licence and can confidently drive a manual van.
(It would be amazing if you’ve worked with volunteers and community before – but it’s not essential.)

The practical stuff:

Permanent, 30 hours a week (with 1–2 Saturdays a month and flexibility)
We are committed to paying living wage
Based primarily at our EcoHub in Birkdale, North Shore but also working across various restoration sites
You’ll be part of a supportive, passionate team – and you’ll report to our Nursery Manager

Why Join Us

Because this is work that matters – and it’s fun! You’ll be part of a team that cares for each other, values community, and embraces Te Ao Māori and kaitiakitanga. You’ll get to learn from experienced kaimahi, connect with amazing volunteers, and know that every day you’re contributing to a healthier future for people and nature.

Diversity is welcomed and celebrated, with a commitment to building a supportive and inclusive environment for all.

How to Apply

Please apply with your CV and a cover letter through Seek.

The full Job Description can be found HERE.

We are looking for the successful candidate to start as soon as possible. We will start considering applications as they are received, so we encourage you to apply.

Kaipātiki Project is an innovative EcoHub based on Auckland's North Shore. Our vision is to grow a sustainable future for people and nature. We achieve this through a number of projects, including native bush regeneration and stream care, a large-scale native plant nursery, a zero waste hub, community composting hubs and food gardens.

We are also involved in several sustainability networks including EnviroHubs Aotearoa; Iwi, Hapū Community Nursery Network; and Network North to name a few. You may also have seen one of our keystone community engagement projects, which we partner with three other EnviroHubs to run each year: EcoFest.

We are committed to upholding Te Tiriti O Waitangi and to embracing Te Ao Māori in the workplace. We partner with mana whenua and mataawaka Māori where possible, to understand how mātauranga Māori can improve environmental outcomes in our work.

Our values:

Manaakitanga - We seek to encourage and uplift all those we welcome and work with.
Whanaungatanga - We nurture relationships and reciprocal connections that build belonging to community and place.
Kaitiakitanga - We continue to develop shared caring for and responsibility to our local places.

What it's like to work at Kaipātiki Project

Our team culture is kind and welcoming. There is a genuinely loving atmosphere where everyone is heard and included. We operate on a flat hierarchy, meaning that everyone is responsible for their own area of work, and we work alongside each other toward a common goal, rather than being ranked and managed. It also means that there is room to add your own flair and creative input, to bring your ideas to life, and to help steer the direction of the project! Working with Kaipātiki Project, you will also have many opportunities to meet people, attend relevant workshops and events, and grow your network within the sustainability arena in Auckland.

We are a passionate group of people who love what we do, and care deeply for our environment! If this sounds like the kind of place you'd like to work, please take a look at the three positions we currently have available, and get in touch!