Welcome to Heretaunga, the area renowned for its rich and fertile landscape that is sustained by its life-giving dews and waterways. Welcome to Heretaunga, whose beauty is observed by the sharp eye of the harrier hawk; a landscape rich in history and with an esteemed legacy of caring and providing for its inhabitants.

Te Mana o te Wai – Te Mana o te Whenua

Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga are the mana whenua of the Heretaunga Aquifer. The Aquifer is the heart of Heretaunga and the three main rivers, Ngaruroro Mokotuararo ki Rangatira, Tukituki and Tūtaekurī are the main arteries that recharge the aquifer. The life force of the rivers are energised from the tears of the heavens from Te Ihorangi (son of Ranginui and Papatūānuku) and anointed by the snows of the Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges given to Kaukau (Guardian of flowing waters), giving energy to the plains of Heretaunga, and giving life and sustenance to the wellbeing of humanity with the Loving Waters.

Taitara Mahi –   Waiaroha Visitor Host

Permanent Part-Time, 12 hours per week

Waiaroha Heretaunga Water Discovery Centre (Waiaroha) is the Heretaunga Hastings District Council water storage and learning centre facility that opened in central Karamu Hastings in October 2023. Developed with mana whenua, Waiaroha will:

• Deliver safe, secure, sustainable drinking water infrastructure and a back-up water supply for Karamu Hastings residents.
• Inform and inspire public awareness of our use, care, and understanding of wai.
• Championing and upholding the integrity of mana whenua knowledge (mātauranga-ā-iwi, mātauranga-ā-hapū) including kaupapa Māori, te reo Māori and tikanga Māori.
• And in doing so, develop, drive, deliver, evaluate and report public engagement programmes to ensure positive experiences for Waiaroha audiences, which encourage participation and life-long learning.

Waiaroha has been designed as a visitor learning centre with outdoor and indoor spaces for interactive and hands-on learning open to the public. In addition to displays and signage the centre will grow to offer tours and learning programmes from early learning to secondary school level, informed by local mātauranga ā-iwi and mātauranga ā-hapū.

We are looking for an outgoing person to join the small team at Waiaroha as a Visitor Host. The purpose of this role is to ensure that visitors are welcomed warmly, to share knowledge and expertise with visitors, facilitate classes, groups and tours of the facility, and also keep the day to day operations of the centre running smoothly. 

You will be someone who can transfer your excellent customer service skills to Waiaroha. You'll also excellent computer literacy skills and be a positive team player.

The successful candidate will have:

• Previous customer service experience / experience in facilitating groups
• Knowledge of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both oral and written
• Competent in use of technology and software such as Microsoft office suite
• Knowledge of local Mātauranga ā-iwi and Mātauranga ā-hapū 

Hours of work will be Saturday and Monday 9.45am-4.15pm (some flexibility around these hours may be possible).