Nelson Lakes biodiversity volunteer ranger

Dates

The 2025/2026 season dates are:

• 5 January – 30 January 2026
• 9 February – 6 March 2026
• 9 March – 2 April 2026

Description

The Nelson Lakes biodiversity team is based out of St Arnaud and carries out fauna and flora work across a range of conservation land. Fauna work involves pest control and native species monitoring with most work centred around the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project.

This mainland island site at Lake Rotoiti tests pest management techniques and much of your work as a volunteer will be in this project.

Flora work involves weed control across the district in a variety of habitat types as well as native flora monitoring. As a volunteer, you will gain experience in both fauna and flora work as well as contributing to conservation in the Nelson Lakes District.

Wasp warning

Wasps are very prevalent in the Nelson Lakes area in the summer; so wasp stings are a real possibility for anyone around the village or walking in the bush.

Keep this in mind when applying for this opportunity, and note that St Arnaud is over an hour from the nearest medical assistance. 

Tasks

The work is varied and could include:

• predator trapping (for stoats and possums)
• monitoring of trapping effort (tracking tunnels)
• native species monitoring (kea, kiwi, bats)
• helping in one of the largest wasp control operations in the world
• monitoring native flora
• weed control

Most work is undertaken during regular working hours although overnight trips outside the RNRP are possible.

The work involves working with rangers and alone, handling dead animals and putting toxins into bait stations.

What to expect

Fitness and skills required: Volunteers must have a high level of fitness and well-developed backcountry tramping skills.

Experience required: You need to be experienced and comfortable:

• navigating in the bush
• being off formed tracks
• using a map and compass
• have completed multi-day trips in the backcountry or have done similar work.

You will be required to work for short periods of time unsupervised so you must be confident in the bush unaccompanied.

Accommodation: Shared bach-type accommodation is provided free in St Arnaud for the duration of the volunteer period. You will need to supply your own bedding and towels. You supply your own food and transport to St Arnaud.

What to bring

Tramping boots, warm tramping clothing including wet weather gear, personal overnight gear for accommodation (including sleeping bag, pillow).

A full gear list is supplied with an information pack on acceptance. All safety equipment and any transport required for the job are supplied.

How to apply

All positions have now been filled.

Contact

Volunteer coordinator
Email: nelsonlakesvolunteers@doc.govt.nz