Nursery Operations Leader

About us Mataitai Farm is in Clevedon, Auckland. The family-owned whenua is run by the Mataitai Farm Trust and is establishing a native nursery with seeds sourced from our own Ngahere. We engage with our local community and are working with others to restore the mauri of the Wairoa River to create lasting positive change for both the environment and for the community.

About the Role We're seeking a skilled and dedicated Nursery Operational Leader who will play a critical role in our nursery operations. You'll be responsible for establishing all the hands-on horticultural tasks, purchasing/application/storing of agrichemicals, and maintaining a productive nursery environment to ensure high-quality plant production.

Key Responsibilities • Apply agrichemicals including insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides • Control pests to maintain optimal plant health • Maintain and adjust irrigation systems • Ensure a weed-free nursery environment • Shift, trim, stake, and space plants for optimal growth • Assist with scientific trials and monitoring • Lead plant dispatch operations • Operate machinery including forklifts, tractors, and ATVs • Maintain a clean, organized nursery environment

Requirements • Current Standard Grow Safe certification and RCA qualification. • Full driver's license • Experience operating and maintaining nursery machinery. • Strong understanding of agrichemical application and pest control • Basic mechanical skills • Physical fitness for manual labour in various weather conditions • Understanding of Matauranga Maori

Desired Qualifications • Experience in nursery or horticultural environments • Knowledge of New Zealand native plants and propagation methods • Strong attention to detail and organisational skills

Personal Attributes • Honest, reliable, and trustworthy • Team player with strong communication skills • Proactive and willing to take initiative. • Passion for horticulture and plant production

What We Offer • Professional development in horticultural practices

• An up to date CV on file is a must • Be able to pass pre employment checks like Drug test and MOJ (MOJ must be clean) • Reliable transport and minimum Full NZ driver licence as this is a rural location where Public transport is not an option (Clevedon Location)