Cook – Freeman Court
Location: Te Awamutu, Waikato
Pay Rate: $28.35 per hour
Hours: 32 hours per week (part-time permanent)
Start Date: 14 September 2026
Meaningful work | Make a difference through food | Join a caring community
Ready to make a difference every day?
We’re looking for a reliable and compassionate Cook to join our Freeman Court team in Te Awamutu.
This role is about more than preparing meals. You’ll help create a warm, welcoming dining experience that supports the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of older people living independently within our community.
If you take pride in preparing nutritious, high-quality meals, enjoy building positive relationships, and want to contribute to a supportive environment where people truly matter, we’d love to hear from you.
About Habitat
Habitat for Humanity Central Region is a charity and Community Housing Provider with a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Through housing, community services, and support programmes, we help people build strength, stability, and independence.
Freeman Court is our independent living community in Te Awamutu, providing affordable accommodation, meals, companionship, and 24-hour onsite support for older people. Residents enjoy the freedom of independent living while being part of a supportive and caring community.
The role
As a Cook, you will:
- Prepare and cook nutritious meals in accordance with menu plans and dietary requirements.
- Ensure meals are appetising, well presented, and served on time.
- Prepare morning and afternoon teas, desserts, and special occasion meals.
- Support residents with positive dining experiences and special celebrations.
- Maintain high standards of food safety, kitchen hygiene, and infection prevention.
- Monitor food temperatures, complete food safety records, and ensure compliance requirements are met.
- Assist with stock control, food ordering, and minimising food waste.
- Work collaboratively with Kitchen Hands, Caregivers, volunteers, and the wider Freeman Court team.
- Support meal preparation and packing for delivered meal services where required.
- Help maintain a safe, welcoming, and efficient kitchen environment.
About you
You will ideally bring:
- Previous experience in cooking, catering, hospitality, aged care, retirement living, or food service environments.
- Sound knowledge of food safety, safe food handling, and kitchen hygiene practices.
- Experience preparing meals for a range of dietary requirements and preferences.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- The ability to work efficiently and maintain quality under pressure.
- High standards of cleanliness, presentation, and attention to detail.
- Positive communication and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- A reliable, flexible, and dependable work ethic.
- A compassionate and respectful approach when working alongside older adults.
- A Food Safety or Food Hygiene qualification (advantageous).
- A current First Aid Certificate (advantageous).
- A Full New Zealand Driver Licence (advantageous).
- The legal right to work in New Zealand.
Why join us?
- Make a genuine difference in the lives of older people.
- Be part of a supportive and values-driven organisation.
- Join a team that believes in compassion, trust, innovation, performance, and support.
- Work in a welcoming community environment where relationships matter.
- Contribute to a service that supports resident wellbeing every day.
Apply
This is a permanent part-time position working 32 hours per week. The role operates across a roster that may include weekends and public holidays.
We take our responsibility to protect vulnerable adults and sensitive information very seriously. Employment offers will be subject to successful completion of a criminal record check, self-declaration process, and two reference checks.
