Senior River Raft Guide / Dart River Adventures

Glenorchy / Southern Lakes

Permanent, Full-Time

Lead with Mana. Guide with Purpose.

Are you an experienced river guide ready to take the next step in your journey? Dart River Adventures is looking for a Kaiārahi / Senior River Raft Guide to help lead our Funyak team in Glenorchy. This is more than a guiding role — it's an opportunity to connect people to place, to culture, and to the stories of our whenua.

As part of the Ngāi Tahu Tourism whānau, we are proud kaitiaki of this taonga. We deliver world-class experiences that reflect the mana of our people and the beauty of our environment.

What You'll Do

• Guide Funyak (inflatable canoe) tours through the stunning Dart River valley.
• Support and step in for the Funyak Supervisor when needed.
• Transport guests safely and comfortably between Queenstown and the river, creating a warm, engaging, and memorable experience aboard our tour bus.
• Mentor and evaluate guides to uphold safety, storytelling, and manaakitanga.
• Make operational decisions around river conditions and trip logistics.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism, equipment care, and cultural integrity.
  
  

What You Bring

• 2+ years of guiding experience in outdoor or river-based tourism.
• A current full NZ driver's license (Class 2 and P Endorsement a bonus or the ability to obtain).
• First Aid Certification (River Rescue Grade 3+ is a bonus).
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• A willingness to embrace and share Ngāi Tahu values, te reo Māori, and tikanga.
  
  

What We Offer

• A permanent, full-time role in one of Aotearoa's most spectacular locations.
• A supportive, whānau-based team culture.
• Opportunities for cultural and professional development.
• The chance to contribute to the legacy of Ngāi Tahu — mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei.
  
  

Dart River Adventures is committed to being a safe, inclusive, and supportive workplace. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to thrive. The wellbeing and safety of our team — both on and off the river — is our top priority.

We take pride in being a fun, unique, and safe place to work, and we're dedicated to maintaining that environment. As part of our commitment to health and safety, all successful candidates will be required to undergo a series of pre-employment checks, including drug and alcohol testing.

To be considered for this role, you must have the legal right to work in Aotearoa New Zealand.