Careers at Te Puia

Our Legacy - Food & Beverage

Our Legacy - Wānanga

Our Legacy - Guides

Curious about a career at Te Puia? Become a part of our cultural legacy.

Nau mai ki Te Puia

Te ūkaipō o te whare pūmau i ngā taonga tuku iho

Tomo mai ki te whare i whakaarahia i roto i te pā tūwatawata o ngā tūmanako.

Te Puia is situated within the historic Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, spanning 70 hectares in Rotorua. Home to the iconic Pōhutu geyser, bubbling mud pools, hot springs, and silica formations, Te Puia is full of natural wonders. Manuhiri (visitors) can also explore the native Kiwi bird and the prestigious national schools of wood carving, weaving and stone and bone carving at the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute. For over 100 years, we have been sharing these taonga (treasures) with manuhiri, continuing this legacy with pride today.

As an iwi-owned organisation and industry tuakana, Te Puia leads with purpose. Governed by the NZ Māori Arts and Crafts Vesting Act 2020, we stand as kaitiaki (guardians), uplifting Māori culture and ensuring its place in the evolving world of tourism. Our values guide us in creating meaningful connections with manuhiri while honouring the heritage we protect.

Here at Te Puia, our values are at the heart of all that we do:

Tuku Iho – We share: We honour and uphold the knowledge, traditions and legacies passed down to us.
Tiaki – We protect: We protect and care for our people, place and culture – now and for generations to come.
Manaaki – We care: We uplift the mana of others through generosity, respect and care – ensuring everyone feels valued and seen.
Whakanui – We celebrate: We recognise and celebrate the achievements and contributions that strengthen our whānau and kaupapa.

If you’re inspired to be part of a team that celebrates, protects, and shares a living culture, we invite you to explore our current opportunities below. Whether a role fits your skills now or you’re dreaming of future possibilities, stay connected – our legacy is one you’ll want to be part of!

General Vacancies:

Kaiārahi (Tour Guide)

We’re getting ready for another busy summer season and are looking for enthusiastic, people-focused Kaiārahi to join our Visitor Experience team.

As a Kaiārahi, you’ll help bring Te Puia to life for our manuhiri by sharing the stories of our culture, our whenua, and our people. This is a role for someone who enjoys connecting with others, speaking with confidence, and creating memorable experiences.

These are fixed-term roles supporting our busy summer season, with start dates expected from late August through September and roles likely to finish around March or April 2027. Applicants will need strong availability across this period, including weekends and public holidays.

Food & Beverage Attendants

As we gear up for a busy summer season, we’re on the hunt for energetic, customer-focused superstars to join our Food & Beverage team!

Our Food & Beverage Attendants play a key role in creating memorable experiences for our manuhiri. From managing reservations and welcoming guests to taking orders, setting tables, and clearing dishes, they ensure every interaction is seamless and enjoyable.

Retail Assistant

As we gear up for a busy summer season, we’re on the hunt for energetic, customer-focused superstars to join our Retail team!

As a Retail Assistant at Te Puia, you will deliver an outstanding visitor experience through professional selling techniques and excellent customer service. You’ll assist manuhiri (visitors) in selecting quality merchandise, including traditional Māori arts and crafts, and provide guidance on product use and care.

Senior Chef de Partie

Bring your culinary talent to Te Puia, where culture, creativity and manaakitanga come together in every dish. We are looking for a skilled Senior Chef de Partie to join our award-winning team and help deliver unforgettable dining experiences for our manuhiri.

Bus Driver

Join our Visitor Experience team as a Bus Driver and be a key player in ensuring our guests have a seamless and memorable journey. You will provide shuttle services for our manuhiri, transporting them to and from their accommodation for our evening experience, Te Pō, and other special functions.