Park Superintendent

Pōkeno Park Superintendent – Hynds Foundation

Location: Pōkeno, Waikato (live-in role)

Hynds Foundation is looking for an experienced, hands-on property and land manager to take on a unique live-in role at Pōkeno Park, a private native park and conservation property. This is a varied, active role that spans native plant and wetland management, grounds and building maintenance, contractor supervision, and visitor and trustee hosting. You'll be working to a long-term Master Plan with real scope to contribute your own ideas and expertise.

What the role involves

Day-to-day you'll be getting your hands dirty — planting, weeding, track and fence maintenance, wetland and waterway care, machinery operation, and small construction projects. You'll also coordinate external contractors and suppliers, maintain all buildings on the property, manage site security, and support the installation and ongoing care of art and sculpture pieces displayed across the park. A key part of the role is hosting visits from Foundation trustees, stakeholders, and other guests, so you'll need to be comfortable being the face of the property when it counts.

What We're Looking For

• Strong knowledge of native flora and New Zealand ecological restoration
• Practical experience in horticulture, landscaping, or land management
• Comfortable operating and maintaining farm and grounds machinery
• Basic construction skills (retaining walls, pathways, fencing)
• An eye for presentation — the park is home to art and sculpture installations that need to be maintained and shown well
• Organised and self-directed — you'll manage your own workload and priorities
• A warm, confident communicator who can work equally well with contractors, trustees, and visitors
• A genuine commitment to health and safety in a rural environment

The live-in arrangement

This role comes with on-site accommodation. We're looking for someone who will live on the property with their partner, which suits the security and site-presence aspect of the role well. It's a real bonus for the right person — a beautiful property to call home while doing work you care about.

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

Pre-employment Checks

Hynds is committed to high levels of health and safety. Therefore, all candidates will be expected to pass a pre-employment medical and alcohol & drug screen, along with satisfactorily passing a criminal history check. You will also need the legal right to work in NZ.