Do you have a passion for gardening, strong leadership potential, and a desire to work in a stunning natural setting? Sacred Blessings Sanctuary on Waiheke Island is seeking a Garden Team Leader Assistant This position combines practical gardening tasks with leadership responsibilities, including supporting the recruitment, training, and supervision of the garden team of 5-6 people while actively participating in the day-to-day gardening operations. The role requires an understanding of gardening techniques and cultivation methods, leadership and good communication and organizational skills, and the ability to apply Health and Safety protocols in a garden setting. The main purpose of the garden team is dressing and maintaining all the gardens to a very high standard of presentation daily.

Key Responsibilities

Garden Maintenance Tasks:

  • Planting : Planting flowers, shrubs, vegetables and other plants.
  • Pruning and trimming Trimming and pruning hedges, trees and bushes to maintain the aesthetics and health of the gardens.
  • Fertilizing and Watering: Applying appropriate fertilizers to garden beds, trees, and plants. Ensuring all garden areas, including lawns and flower beds, are adequately watered, based on seasonal and weather conditions.
  • Composting and Weeding: Assisting with composting tasks to recycle organic waste, improve soil health, and managing weeding to prevent unwanted plant growth.
  • Spraying for Pest and Disease Control: Safely applying pesticides and fungicides, to manage pests and diseases, following environmental safety protocols.
  • Lawn Care: Operating lawnmowers and other equipment to maintain grassed areas, ensuring they remain neat and healthy.

Team Leadership and Supervision:

  • Recruitment and Training: Assist in the recruitment process for new garden team members. Provide on-the-job training to ensure all team members are familiar with best gardening practices and safety standards.
  • Team Supervision: Support the Garden Team Leader in overseeing the daily work of the garden team, ensuring tasks are completed on time and to a high standard.
  • Health and Safety: Conduct regular Health and Safety inductions and ensure that all team members adhere to safety protocols, especially when using gardening tools and chemicals.
  • Team Motivation and Development: Provide encouragement and support to the garden team, fostering a positive and productive working environment.

Additional Responsibilities:

  • General Garden Cleanliness: Ensure that the gardens and surrounding areas are always clean and free of debris, including managing garden waste and recycling.
  • Equipment Maintenance: Assist with the maintenance and care of gardening tools and machinery to ensure they are in good working order.

What We’re Looking For

Minimum Skills & Experience:

2 years’ relevant work experience including gardening techniques and cultivation methods and experience relating to managing or supervising projects OR a Level 4+ qualification in horticulture or related field (e.g. science, arboriculture, turf management)

  • Gardening Skills Required: Basic gardening knowledge and experience, including plant care, pruning, and lawn maintenance.
  • Experience in Training and Running a Team: Ability to lead, train, and motivate a small team, ensuring tasks are completed effectively and safely.
  • Fit and Strong to Work in All Weather Conditions: Physical stamina and resilience to work outdoors in various weather conditions and perform physically demanding tasks.
  • Attention to Detail and Methodical Approach: Strong focus on maintaining high standards in presentation of the gardens and gardening tasks, ensuring that each task is carried out to a high standard.
  • Practical Problem-Solving Skills: Strong ability to identify and solve problems, mechanical aptitude.
  • Health and Safety Knowledge: Strong understanding of health and safety protocols in a horticultural setting.
  • Equipment Handling and Maintenance: Competence in using and maintaining gardening tools and machinery, including lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, and sprayers.
  • Communication Skills: Good interpersonal and communication skills to interact with the garden team and the team leader.

Additional Requirements:

  • Must have a clean criminal record and be able to pass a pre-employment drug test
  • Must either reside on Waiheke Island or be able to commute 5–7 days a week (factor in cost of travel)

Desirable Attributes:

  • First Aid Certificate: Basic first aid certification is desirable but not required.
  • Language Skills: Spanish speaking ideal as we have many spanish speaking garden workers.

Hours and Pay

  • Hourly Rate: $30.00 per hour
  • Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time
  • Hours of Work: Minimum 30 hours/week, average 40 hours/week, between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm
  • Days of Work: We are open to the public 7 days per week from 1 September to 31 May except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The remaining 3 months are dedicated to maintenance, during which we are closed to the public.
  • Weekend and public holiday work is required.
  • You must be available to work the busy summer period from November to February.
  • Annual leave is taken during winter

Why Join Us?

Sacred Blessings Sanctuary is a peaceful and purpose-driven environment where nature and community thrive. You’ll work in a collaborative team, surrounded by natural beauty, with the opportunity to grow your horticultural and leadership skills.

Applications close on 18 August 2025, and the role is for immediate start.

 

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