Join the team at Ngā Manu
Volunteer at Ngā Manu
Do you enjoy being part of a team, love being immersed in nature and want to make a difference to your community?
Our volunteers are a vital part of Ngā Manu and we would love your support. We welcome volunteers from all walks of life, and have different roles depending on your skills, experience, availability and fitness. You must be over 15 years old to apply and acceptance.
available Volunteer roles at Ngā Manu
Storyteller and bush walk guide
We’re looking for a guide, essentially a great storyteller, to be part of our passionate team. If you have a passion for Aotearoa New Zealand’s flora and fauna, and would like to support a wonderful local environmental organisation, Ngā Manu would love to hear from you. We require you for weekends and public holidays. 1-3 tours per month is an indication of the number of times you’ll be needed. Reliability is important to Ngā Manu, as is customer experience. There’s a rotating roster with other team members so you can offer and commit to as much, or as little, time as you can.
Visitor Centre Host/ Counter Service
If you enjoy interacting with people, then this volunteer role will appeal. A passion for conservation and wildlife would be an advantage. You will be greeting visitors, explaining what to see at Nga Manu and selling tickets, tours, memberships and merchandise. Hours are weekends and weekdays throughout the year for four-hour shifts (10am to 2pm weekdays, 9.30am-1.30pm and 1pm-5pm weekends and public holidays.)
Theo’s Cottage Caretaker
The caretaker cleans the cottage after guests and gets it ready for new arrivals. They also check stock levels in the kitchen and bathroom. An eye for detail and cleanliness and being physically fit are desirable skills. Each clean takes between one to two hours. Bookings can be 1-3 times per week, but volunteers can choose their level of commitment.
Events All-rounder
Volunteer roles include set up and clean up, assisting with event activities and carpark crew. Flexible shifts of around four hours or more, depending on availability, on a few weekends and public holidays throughout the year.
Site inspection person
Fancy a stroll through Nga Manu Nature Reserve before the crowds arrive? We need a leaf blower/path checker/trimmer/rubbish collector to inspect the grounds before our 10am opening.Desirable attributes are being physically fit and having a knowledge of basic gardening and power tools. Approximately 1-2 hours from 8.30am any day of the week.
Gardeners
Join our gardening crew and keep Nga Manu Nature Reserve looking beautiful. We need keen volunteers to be part of our gardening crew to ensure our reserve looks its best at all times of the year. Desirable attributes are having a knowledge of native plants and weeds, being physically fit and a team player. Flexible shifts are available from Tuesday to Sunday, but preferably week days.
Animal husbandry assistant
Volunteers are needed to assist Nga Manu’s rangers with food prep for our native birds and reptiles as well as cleaning their enclosures. You should have good observation skills and be able to follow basic recipes.Four hour shifts every day except Thursday.