Maunga Tarawera Guide
Kaitiaki Adventures
Maunga Tarawera Guide Location: Rotorua / Maunga Tarawera
Company: Kaitiaki Adventures Aotearoa
Position: Maunga Tarawera Guide
Employment: Full-time / Seasonal opportunities available
Ko wai mātou | About Us
Kaitiaki Adventures Aotearoa is a Māori-owned adventure tourism company based in Rotorua. Our mahi is grounded in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and kaitiakitanga. We are privileged to guide manuhiri across Maunga Tarawera, sharing the whenua, history, stories and significance of this extraordinary place. We're looking for people who want to become part of our Maunga Tarawera guiding whānau.
Te Tūranga | The Role
As a Maunga Tarawera Guide, you'll take manuhiri on guided experiences across Maunga Tarawera.
This isn't just about walking people up a mountain.
You'll welcome people from all over Aotearoa and the world, help them understand the significance of the whenua they're visiting, share kōrero and create an experience they'll remember long after they leave.
You'll work outdoors, drive guests to and from the maunga, look after their safety and wellbeing, and represent Kaitiaki Adventures and the values we stand for.
Full training will be provided, so previous guiding or tourism experience isn't essential.
He aha ngā mahi? | What You'll Do
Your mahi will include:
• Guiding manuhiri on Maunga Tarawera
• Welcoming guests and delivering exceptional manaakitanga
• Sharing approved kōrero relating to the maunga, whenua, history and people
• Delivering safety briefings and managing guest safety throughout each experience
• Supporting guests of different ages, cultures and physical abilities
• Driving company vehicles and transporting guests where appropriately licensed and trained • Completing pre-trip and post-trip checks
• Monitoring weather, track and environmental conditions
• Identifying and reporting hazards, incidents and maintenance requirements
• Helping care for the maunga and surrounding environment
• Supporting conservation and kaitiakitanga initiatives
• Maintaining company vehicles, equipment and work areas
• Working alongside the wider Kaitiaki Adventures whānau when required
Ko wai koe? | About You
We're less interested in whether you've already worked in tourism and more interested in who you are and what you could bring to the role.
You could be right for this mahi if you:
• Are confident talking and connecting with people
• Enjoy being outdoors and are reasonably physically fit
• Are reliable and turn up when you say you will
• Are keen to learn
• Work well as part of a team
• Have a positive attitude and aren't afraid to give things a go
• Are comfortable working with people from different cultures and backgrounds
• Have respect for tikanga, te ao Māori and the significance of Maunga Tarawera
• Understand the importance of looking after our whenua and our manuhiri
• Can communicate clearly and professionally
• Take safety seriously
Te reo Māori, whakapapa or a connection to the local rohe, experience in tourism, guiding or the outdoors are valued, but you don't need to tick every box to apply.
If you think you could be great at this mahi, we'd still like to hear from you.
Ngā Pūkenga / Requirements
Ideally, you'll have:
• A current full NZ driver's licence, or be working towards one
• The ability to comfortably walk and work across uneven volcanic terrain
• Availability to work weekends, public holidays and during peak tourism periods
• The ability to work outdoors in changing weather conditions
• The ability to meet the health and safety requirements of the position
Relevant First Aid, guiding, tourism or outdoor qualifications are an advantage, but training can be provided for the right person.
He aha tā mātou e tuku? | What We Offer
Joining Kaitiaki Adventures is an opportunity to build more than just a summer job.
We offer:
• Full on-the-job guide training
• Opportunities to gain skills and industry qualifications
• Development pathways into senior guiding and Team Leader roles
• Experience within Aotearoa's adventure tourism industry
• A supportive, whānau-focused team environment
• The opportunity to work on one of Aotearoa's most remarkable maunga
• The chance to meet and connect with people from around the world
• Opportunities to develop your confidence, leadership, storytelling and outdoor skills
Our Kaupapa
At Kaitiaki Adventures, our guides are kaitiaki, storytellers and hosts.
We want our team to understand that guiding on Maunga Tarawera comes with responsibility — to the whenua, to our manuhiri, to each other and to those whose stories we have the privilege of sharing.
We're particularly keen to create pathways for local rangatahi and Māori who want to develop a career in tourism, guiding and the outdoors, and we encourage applications from people who may not have considered this type of mahi before.
Interested?
You don't need to send us a flash CV or have years of experience.
Tell us a little about yourself, where you're from, what you're doing now and why you'd like to become a Maunga Tarawera Guide.
If you've got the right attitude, we'll help you build the skills.
