Gardener/Grounds keeper

Do you have an eye for detail and a green thumb? Do you dream of immersing yourself in the beauty of Walter Peak's lakeside gardens? If so, we've got the perfect opportunity for you!

Join our Walter Peak gardening team and become the curator of nature's masterpieces. Picture yourself tending to vibrant blooms and sculpting landscapes that captivate the senses. We're on the lookout for a dedicated, self-reliant, and dependable gardener to bring their expertise to our enchanting sanctuary.

This isn't just a job; it's an invitation to be part of something extraordinary. As a full-time, Permanent member of our team, you'll play a pivotal role in crafting the magic that awaits our guests at Walter Peak.

In This Role, You Will

• Support annual planting plans to create beautiful seasonal gardens.
• Prepare and maintain seed beds and nurture plant growth.
• Plant and propagate trees, shrubs, hedges, bulbs, and flowers.
• Maintain lawns through weeding, trimming, fertilising, watering, and mowing.
• Install irrigation systems as needed.
• Prune, care for trees, and install plant support structures.
• Create softscape and hardscape features that enhance the environment.
• Manage pests and diseases to keep gardens healthy.

We Are Looking For Someone Who

• Has a good working knowledge of different plant types, preparing garden beds, plant maintenance and pruning.
• Has working knowledge of horticulture.
• Is hardworking with a can-do attitude.
• Is a proven team player with excellent communication skills as you'll be working with a small, close-knit team at Walter Peak.

What’s in it for you?

• Full-time, permanent roles with guaranteed fortnightly hours
• On-site accommodation available for the right candidate
• Amazing RealNZ staff perks – take a friend and experience our adventures free or at a huge discount, including Milford & Doubtful Sound cruises, Te Anau Glowworm Caves, white water rafting, and explore Rakiura
• Medical insurance cover
• Free Cardrona x Treble Cone ski/bike pass

If you’re passionate about hospitality, thrive in leadership roles, and want to work in one of the most breathtaking locations in New Zealand, we’d love to hear from you.

Real People, Real Places, Real Experiences. Welcome To Real.

When's the best time to join the Real whānau? Now's good.

We're the conservation business that's enabled by tourism. We're helping the world, one guest at a time, fall in love with conservation. We're inspiring people to leave their places in better conditions than when they found them. We channel a guest-centric approach that fuels our genuine promise to deliver Aotearoa's most unforgettable experiences.

It's our workplace environment that makes careers at RealNZ more exciting than the regular job. Working for Real could mean you're based anywhere between a secluded island, a scenic fiord, and a snow-capped maunga. Our people, places, and workdays are a great and diverse mixture. It keeps us on our toes and adds value and passion to our work.

At RealNZ, we're committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Guided by our values of Pono (Keep it real) and He waka eke noa (We're all in this together), we embrace and celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences that make our team stronger. Everyone is welcome here.

How To Apply

Click Apply now to be taken to our careers page

Please note that we will be interviewing candidates as they apply, and if the right person is found, we may close the role off to any further applications.

Job Details

Company RealNZ Reference # 43236 Posted on 28 May 2026 Closes on 10 Jun 2026 17:00 Location(s) Walter Peak Expertise Rural Demonstrators, Rural Hosts Job level(s) Entry/graduate, Experienced Work type(s) Permanent - Full Time More details (document) PD_Gardener (RealNZ) May-26.pdf

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