Regional Representative — Waikato

Do you want to make a lasting contribution to the protection of Aotearoa’s unique natural and cultural heritage?

QEII National Trust is seeking an experienced and motivated independent contractor to act as our regional representative in the Waikato region, which covers the Waikato District and Hamilton City. The position offers the opportunity to work independently while making a meaningful impact on private land conservation in the Waikato. This contract is for a minimum of 950 hours per year (1 July to 30 June), with the ideal candidate willing to work an additional 100 hours across the year if required.  

About the role

As a QEII Regional Representative, you’ll work directly with private landowners to protect and enhance areas of significant ecological, cultural and landscape value.

The key responsibilities include:

• Building trusted relationships with landowners in the region
• Monitoring existing QEII covenants, ensuring compliance with the covenant deed and providing ecological advice and support on how to best manage the protected area
• Assessing sites with significant biodiversity and conservation or cultural heritage values for protection and preparing assessment reports and recommendations for consideration by the QEII executive
• Working closely with our ecological advisors and legal team in the Wellington office

The Waikato region includes Waikato District and Hamilton City. The approximate boundaries are viewable on our protected areas map: QEII National Trust Protected Areas

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who can combine ecological knowledge with strong relationship building skills.

Ideally you will have:

• Experience working in conservation, ecology, environmental management, land management or a related field
• A sound ecological understanding of our indigenous flora, fauna, and the threats they face within the Waikato region
• Experience working with landowners and applying practical and resourceful land management solutions
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build lasting partnerships across multiple sectors, including with regional councils, territorial authorities, iwi, and local community groups
• Confidence and fitness required to work independently and safely as a lone worker in rural and backcountry environments
• Strong self-management skills, including planning and time management
• Experience working with Microsoft office, GIS-based mapping and databases
• Current first aid certificate
• Your own suitable vehicle, current NZ Drivers Licence, cell phone, computer and home-office set-up
• The capacity to complete this contract long-term

What we offer

• Meaningful conservation work with tangible outcomes
• The chance to join a passionate organisation with a great culture
• Lots of support to help you succeed in the role
• Mileage reimbursement in line with IRD rates

About us – QEII National Trust - Ngā Kairauhī Papa 

Our mission is to inspire private landowners to protect and enhance areas of ecological and cultural significance on their land. Almost 70% of New Zealand is in private ownership, so protecting biodiversity and heritage on private land is critical to reversing the decline of indigenous biodiversity and preserving our history.  

We are an independent charitable organisation that partners with private landowners to protect sites on their land with covenants. A covenant is an agreement between QEII and a landowner to protect land forever. The landowner continues to own and manage the protected land, and the covenant and protection stays on the land, even when the property is sold to a new owner.  

Our partnerships have created a growing network of over 5,500 protected areas throughout Aotearoa. These covenants protect more than 190,000 hectares of private land and play a key role as a refuge for some of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered biodiversity and ecosystems.

Apply Now 

If this opportunity sounds like you, and you are legally entitled to work in New Zealand, send your cover letter and CV to contracting@qeii.org.nz by 5pm Sunday 1 November 2026.

For the position description, visit our website: https://bit.ly/4dzxZLk

If you would like to discuss this position further before applying, please contact Jess Stevens, Team Leader Land Protection at contracting@qeii.org.nz