Weird And Wild Jobs In Nz That Are Hiring Right Now

Ready to trade the 9-5 grind for something a little different? These are the least boring gigs hiring in New Zealand this month.

A tough work week can leave any sane person daydreaming about a life less ordinary. Luckily New Zealand is a playground for the peculiar, with jobs hiring right now that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

These are the wildest gigs to get in the country this month, from geyser eruption managers to professional pollinators, because the weirdest jobs deserve the most curious candidates.

1. Glow Worm Guide

Glow worm guiding combines science, showmanship, and a good sleep in. These guides lead enchanted tours, narrating stories of these bioluminescent wonders while managing dark, often damp conditions. It’s the kind of job that requires patience, a love for nature, and a willingness to start work at sundown. Companies near Waitomo and Te Anau are often on the lookout for enthusiastic guides.

Apply here: Glow Worm Guide jobs

2. Volcano Watcher

From White Island to Mount Ruapehu, volcano watchers are the unsung heroes of public safety, monitoring seismic activity, analysing gas emissions, and reporting any signs of eruption. Volcano watchers work for institutions like GNS Science and regional councils. They’re the frontline guardians that make sure everyone gets a heads-up when the earth decides to throw a tantrum.

Apply here: Volcano watcher roles

3. Senior Exotic Species Keeper

Got a passion for the furry, feathered, or finned? Orana Wildlife Park is after a Senior Animal Keeper to lead the charge in caring for their exotic critters, training fellow keepers, and running enrichment programs. The Canterbury role needs someone with tonnes of energy, a love for carnivores, ungulates and primates, and the know-how to lead a team while helping with on-site habitat restoration.

Apply here: Orana Wildlife Park Senior Animal Keeper

4. Background Orcs and Na’vi extras

For those who fancy themselves a bit theatrical and enjoy a touch of fantasy, New Zealand’s booming film industry, especially around Wellington and Auckland, is always looking for background artists (AKA, extras). No lines required, just commitment to staying in character, often in elaborate costumes, for long hours.

Apply here: Film background roles

5. Underwater Rugby Player

While this one sadly doesn’t pay yet, underwater rugby is building a cult following with a lot of potential to go big. It’s a full-contact game played in swimming pools, combining breath-holding, teamwork, and a lot of splashing around. Hearts in New Zealand beat strongly for this obscure sport and underwater rugby clubs in cities like Auckland and Wellington are always eager for fresh blood.

Apply here: Underwater rugby clubs

6. Professional Kiwi Fruit Pollinator

Kiwi fruit might be synonymous with New Zealand, but behind every tasty bite are scores of workers performing a tiny, yet vital, job: pollinating the orchards. This role involves hands-on work among the vines like climbing, careful handling of delicate flowers, and a lot of patience. Being a professional pollinator is one of those quirky but essential jobs that support one of New Zealand’s most iconic industries.

Apply here: Pollinator jobs

7. Possum Skinner for Fashion Fur

In New Zealand, possums are more than just environmental pests, they’re also the source of a unique and thriving fashion fur industry. Jobs in possum skinning involve the skilled harvesting and preparation of possum pelts that are used to create luxurious, sustainable fashion and accessories. This role blends conservation efforts with craftsmanship, as workers help control possum populations while supporting a niche market that leverages their soft fur.

Apply here: Possum harvesting and skinning jobs or here New Zealand Fur Council Hunter Opportunities

8. Geyser Eruption Manager 

At the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland near Rotorua, one of New Zealand’s most unique geothermal jobs revolves around managing the daily eruptions of the Lady Knox Geyser. Unlike most natural geysers, Lady Knox’s eruption is induced daily at 10:15 a.m. by adding a surfactant (a natural soap substance) into the geyser’s vent. This triggers a spectacular water jet that can reach heights of 10 to 20 meters and lasts up to an hour, creating a dramatic natural show for thousands of visitors.

Apply here: Wai-O-Tapu job vacancies

9. Heli-Ski Guide

This high-stakes role blends expert mountain guiding with helicopter travel to deliver clients to some of the most breathtaking and remote backcountry slopes in the Southern Alps. From the majestic peaks of Mount Cook to pristine powder fields near Franz Josef, this job demands top-notch skills in skiing or snowboarding, wilderness knowledge, avalanche training, and professional guiding certifications.

Apply here: Mount Cook Heli Ski Careers and here Helicopter Ground Crew Jobs NZ