Kaitakawāenga Hāpori – Community Activator

Inspire people. Build community. Grow a sustainable future.

At Kaipātiki Project, we’re an innovative community EcoHub empowering people to take practical action for a thriving environment and connected communities. We believe sustainability should be practical, impactful, inclusive and fun.

We’re looking for a passionate and energetic Kaitakawāenga Hāpori | Community Activator to join our established team of community activators, delivering sustainable living programmes, workshops, events and community initiatives across Kaipātiki and beyond.

Working as part of a collaborative programme delivery team, you’ll help grow our community impact through community engagement, workshop facilitation, environmental education, behaviour change programmes, and practical sustainability initiatives that empower people to take action in their everyday lives.

About the role

This is a highly varied, people-focused role that combines community engagement, education, programme delivery, event coordination and project management.

You’ll work alongside fellow Community Activators and a wider team of passionate environmental practitioners to design, coordinate and deliver programmes that respond to community needs and create meaningful, lasting change.

One day you might be facilitating a sustainability workshop at a local school, the next coordinating a community event, supporting volunteers, delivering a low-waste living programme, helping residents reduce their environmental footprint, or collaborating with partners on a community-led initiative.

The role includes:

• Community-led programme development and delivery
• Workshop facilitation and environmental education
• Community engagement and outreach
• Event planning and coordination
• Building and maintaining stakeholder relationships
• Coordinating volunteers, contractors and contributors
• Programme evaluation, data collection and reporting
• Health and safety oversight for activities and events
• Supporting continuous improvement and innovation across programmes

Key responsibilities

Community Activation & Events

• Facilitate, coordinate and deliver workshops, events, presentations and community programmes.
• Support engaging online and in-person learning experiences.
• Coordinate logistics and stakeholder involvement for events and activities.
• Encourage participation from community groups, volunteers and partners.
• Help grow the quality, reach and impact of Kaipātiki Project’s events and engagement activities.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and maintain positive relationships with community organisations, schools, partners and stakeholders.
• Represent Kaipātiki Project at outreach activities and community events.
• Create welcoming and accessible experiences grounded in Manaakitanga.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and community-led initiatives.
• Work alongside local communities to understand needs and support positive action.

Education & Behaviour Change

• Deliver educational programmes for schools, community groups and residents.
• Facilitate sustainable living and behaviour change programmes, including waste reduction and resource recovery initiatives.
• Develop and deliver engaging workshops that make sustainability practical, accessible and achievable.
• Support the promotion and growth of Kaipātiki Project’s educational offerings.
• Help inspire positive environmental action across diverse audiences.

Project Coordination

• Plan and coordinate projects from initiation to completion.
• Monitor progress, timelines and outcomes.
• Coordinate activities across multiple stakeholders.
• Prepare reports and provide regular updates on achievements and impacts.
• Support programme evaluation, data collection and continuous improvement.

About you

You’re someone who genuinely enjoys connecting with people and creating opportunities for communities to learn, participate and take action.

You’ll be able to demonstrate:

• Excellent people skills and confidence communicating with individuals and groups.
• The ability to share knowledge, build capability and inspire action.
• Experience delivering workshops, presentations or community programmes.
• Confidence speaking in public and engaging diverse audiences.
• An understanding of community-led development and responding to community needs.
• Event management experience involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Confidence working respectfully and effectively within Te Ao Māori.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Confidence working respectfully and effectively within diverse multicultural communities.
• Experience working with people of all abilities and ages, including children.
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills.
• A full driver’s licence and reliable transport.

We’d love it if you also have

• A passion for sustainability, conservation or community resilience.
• Experience delivering environmental or behaviour change programmes.
• Experience coordinating volunteers.
• Knowledge of Auckland’s North and its communities.
• Experience with programme evaluation, reporting and data collection.
• Relevant qualifications or practical experience in education, community development, sustainability or environmental management.

What we’re looking for

We’re interested in who you are as much as what you’ve done.

You’ll be someone who:

• Brings energy, enthusiasm and initiative.
• Loves connecting with people and building community.
• Is confident facilitating groups and speaking in public.
• Takes a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• Balances planning with hands-on delivery.
• Is adaptable, organised and community-minded.
• Wants to make sustainability practical and accessible for everyone.

We’d love to hear how you bring your passion for sustainability to life and the ways you inspire others to make a positive impact.

Our values

Everything we do is guided by:

• Manaakitanga – caring for people
• Whanaungatanga – building meaningful relationships
• Kaitiakitanga – stewardship of our environment and communities

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi, embrace te ao Māori, value lifelong learning, and strive for world-class thinking and delivery.

Why join us?

You’ll be joining a supportive and experienced team of Community Activators and environmental practitioners who are passionate about empowering local people to create positive change.

This is an opportunity to contribute to inspiring programmes, deliver meaningful community initiatives, connect people with practical sustainability action, and help build a more resilient and environmentally thriving Auckland.

Terms

Permanent position | 37.5 hours per week

Some evening and weekend work is required (on average approximately one per month) to support programme delivery and community needs.

Apply now

If you’re excited about empowering communities, inspiring action, and helping people connect with nature and each other, we’d love to hear from you.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. If you don’t meet every listed requirement but believe you’d be a great fit for the role and our kaupapa, we’d still love to hear from you.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so don’t delay applying. Interviews may be conducted throughout the advertising period, and we may appoint before the closing date if the right candidate is found. Applications close no later than 31 October 2026.

Full Job Description available here: https://kaipatiki.org.nz/assets/Documents/2610_JD-Kaitakawaenga-Hapori-Community-Activator.pdf