Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is a 225-hectare, fully fenced ecosanctuary where many of Aotearoa New Zealand's rarest native species thrive in a predator-free environment. Supported by over 500 volunteers, we're working towards a 500-year vision to restore nature and transform how people live with it.

The Restorative Gardening Team helps restore and maintain native plants in public-facing spaces throughout the sanctuary, ensuring these areas remain welcoming and vibrant for visitors.

This friendly and social volunteer team meets every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm. Volunteers work together on a variety of gardening tasks including weeding, mulching, transplanting seedlings, and tidying garden edges in easily accessible areas both inside and outside the sanctuary.

As with most volunteer roles at Zealandia, we are looking for people who can commit to volunteering regularly for at least six months.

What you'll bring:

• A reasonable level of fitness and mobility, including the ability to kneel or crouch for periods of time
• An interest in native plants and gardening
• Reliability and commitment to regular volunteering 
• Enjoyment of working with others as part of a team

You might be a great fit if you are: 

• Passionate about conservation and native plants 
• Someone who enjoys hands-on outdoor work 
• Friendly and sociable, and enjoy working alongside others 
• Keen to contribute to the care and presentation of the sanctuary

What's in it for you: 

• Hands-on experience caring for native plants 
• Time in a beautiful natural environment 
• Opportunities to learn more about Aotearoa's native flora 
• Be part of our incredible volunteering whānau 
• Connect with like-minded people who share an interest in conservation

Training provided: Gardening equipment is provided, and volunteers receive guidance and support from the team while learning the role.