Volunteer

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.

Send us an email at admin@ngamanu.org.nz and let us know which position you are interested in. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Volunteer roles currently available:

Bookkeeper

We have a fantastic opportunity for you to support the efforts of Ngā Manu Nature Reserve with its ecological, environmental and breeding recovery programmes. Ngā Manu is a registered charity which operates a busy nature reserve, function and education centre, retail kiosk and gift shop.

We are looking for an experienced Bookkeeper who is expert in Xero.  This is a supporting role you can complete remotely and takes about 2 to 3 hours a week with main interaction being with our Business Manager and General Manager.

You’ll have sufficient knowledge and experience to complete the tasks in a timely and accurate way. Excellent communication skills and ability to work independently to complete work in set time frames are attributes which are expected.

This role entails keeping our records in a tidy and compliant manner. Main focus is:-

  • Reconciliations of bank accounts, Accounts Payable and Receivable
  • Document retention

Ngā Manu is an awesome team with a great culture and real togetherness.

Please note: You may be required to attain a security clearance for this role.

Storyteller and bush walk guide

Are you good at telling a story, enjoy sharing a passion for Aotearoa/New Zealand’s flora and fauna, and would like to support a wonderful local environmental organisation? Would you like to learn and share knowledge and appreciation of our environment with visitors to Waikanae?

If you answer yes to any of these questions Ngā Manu would love to hear from you. They’re looking for a guide, essentially a great storyteller, to be part of their passionate team. You’ll be given all the knowledge of Ngā Manu’s flora and fauna that you’ll need. Bring your great storytelling and communication skills and passion for our environment.

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.

Job Opportunities

There are no current vacancies available at Nga Manu, but please watch this space for future updates.