Ranger Fishery at Department of Conservation, Waikato

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Work in and help protect the iconic Taupō | Tūrangi Fishery.
• Enjoy a varied role combining fieldwork, conservation, compliance, and visitor engagement.
• Spend your days outdoors in some of New Zealand's most spectacular environments.
• $65,590-$76,589 depending on skills and experience.
• Permanent full-time position based in Tūrangi.

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa

Mō te tūranga | About the role
As a Ranger, Fishery, you'll help protect and enhance the world-renowned Taupō Fishery while supporting great experiences for anglers and visitors. This is a hands-on outdoor role combining fisheries fieldwork, compliance activities, recreation asset maintenance, and visitor engagement.
Your focus will include:

• Fisheries monitoring, surveys, and data collection.
• Compliance and law enforcement activities.
• Maintenance of angler access tracks and recreation assets.
• Supporting operations at the Tongariro National Trout Centre.
• Building positive relationships with anglers, iwi, landowners, and local communities.
• Working safely in remote locations and responding to emergencies when required.

Click here for Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
Blending office and outdoor work with plenty of field opportunities. If you're passionate about the outdoors and thrive on variety, we want to hear from you! We're looking for someone who is practical, motivated, and passionate about conservation and outdoor field work. To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• A full New Zealand Drivers Licence
• Technology savvy; proficiency in MS Office suite, data management and reporting
• A can-do attitude and desire to learn
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to tailor your approach to different audiences
• A strong health and safety focus and experience leading the health and safety of others
• Experience in fisheries, conservation, environmental field operations, compliance, or a related outdoor field-based role
• Knowledge of fishery management principles and an understanding of recreational fishing and angler needs
• Practical field skills and confidence working in remote environments, both independently and as part of a team
• Experience operating and maintaining field equipment, including data collection and monitoring tools
• Experience using power tools, hand tools, and undertaking general track or recreation asset maintenance
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships with anglers, community groups, landowners, iwi, and colleagues
• The ability to manage competing priorities, solve problems, and consistently deliver high-quality work
• A commitment to health, safety, and environmental best practice
• A current Full New Zealand Driver Licence
• A current First Aid Certificate or willingness to obtain one

Desirable:

• Experience in compliance or law enforcement activities
• Qualifications or experience operating chainsaws, quad bikes, boats, electrofishing equipment, diving equipment, or applying herbicides
• Knowledge of the Taupō | Tūrangi Fishery or freshwater fisheries management
• Confidence using basic te reo Māori and tikanga Māori in the workplace

Even if you don't tick all the boxes but believe your skills and experience closely align, then we still encourage you to submit an application.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What's in it for you?
DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default. Want to know more?

Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now
Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We're unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we'll try to accommodate.

Salary: $65,590-$76,589 depending on skills and experience.
Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 14 October 2026
Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Mark Venman, Principal Ranger Fisheries, mvenman@doc.govt.nz

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