Manager Parks | Kaiwhakahaere Ngā Pāka

Porirua is a city with a big heart and bold aspirations. Our parks, reserves and open spaces are central to who we are—they shape how our communities connect, play, celebrate and care for our environment. We’re looking for a strategic and inspirational Manager Parks to lead this kaupapa and help guide the city into its next chapter.

All about the role

As a senior leader, you’ll oversee the planning, delivery and continuous improvement of our parks and open spaces, while developing a high-performing in-house Parks Team. You’ll build strong partnerships across Council, with Ngāti Toa, community groups and industry providers, and you’ll be the public face of Porirua’s Parks Team.

In this role you’ll

• Lead and develop the Parks Team to deliver excellent customer-focused services
• Oversee parks planning, asset management, contract management and operational delivery
• Represent the Parks Team in public forums and community engagements
• Lead key relationships with Ngāti Toa and contribute to te ao Māori integration
• Deliver key aspects of Te Wai Ora o Parirua the Porirua Harbour Accord
• Drive continual improvement through systems, processes and performance frameworks
• Lead financial planning, operational management and long-term budgets
• Guide strategic thinking on biodiversity, biosecurity, recreational cycling and riparian planting
• Oversee delivery of playgrounds, sportsgrounds, gardens, trees, litter services and graffiti management
• Ensure sustainable viability of the cemetery, crematorium, stadium, nursery and workshop
• Build strong relationships with contractors, stakeholders and industry groups
• Provide senior civil defence leadership during emergency management events

All about you

You’ll be a trusted courageous advisor, a visible operational leader, and have a desire to be the public face of our Parks Team. You’ll champion worker health, safety and wellbeing across the team, focussed on excellence in this area.

You’ll build strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders and our community. You’ll guide strategic thinking on everything from biodiversity and recreational cycling to carbon reduction and riparian planting.

You’ll need to show us that you have:

• Significant experience in the Parks sector, including senior operational leadership
• Proven ability to lead large, high-performing teams
• Strong understanding of te Ao Māori and tikanga
• A strategic mindset with excellent planning, project and operational skills
• Experience managing major contracts and diverse stakeholder relationships
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Political acumen and confidence working with diverse communities
• Commercial awareness and ability to manage risk and seize opportunities
• Strong understanding of relevant legislation including LGA, Reserves Act, RMA, HSWA, and more
• Commitment to health and safety, te Tiriti o Waitangi and inclusive workplaces
• Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience

What you need to do now

If you’re a visionary parks leader who thrives on complexity, community engagement and making a tangible impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Mike Mendonca, General Manager Infrastructure on [email protected] for more information.

Porirua City embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We actively encourage applications by people from all backgrounds and are a member of Diversity Works. If you have any support or access requirements during our recruitment process, please let us know when you apply, and we’ll do our best to get you sorted.

You will need to apply via our careers centre: www.poriruacity.govt.nz/careers.

To find out more about working for Porirua City Watch this video

Applications close on Sunday 30 November 2025.