Hiring | Tourism & Education Coordinator
Auckland Sea Kayaks is an award-winning adventure tourism and outdoor education business operating in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
Since 2010, we’ve been helping international visitors and local kiwis connect with the marine environment through exceptional sea kayaking experiences. We’re family-owned and operated, with a strong focus on environmental stewardship, community engagement, outdoor education and creating memorable experiences on the water.
A few things we’re proud of:
- Winner of the Community Engagement Award at the 2025 New Zealand Tourism Awards
- Rated the #1 Nature & Wildlife Experience in Central Auckland on TripAdvisor
- Net Promoter Score of 92
- A passionate team that believes in connecting people with the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park through meaningful experiences
We’re now looking for an Tourism & Education Coordinator to join our team and help keep the many moving parts of Auckland Sea Kayaks running smoothly.
Watch what we do:
About the Role
This is a varied coordination role at the heart of our tourism and outdoor education operations.
You’ll be responsible for coordinating tourism bookings and customer enquiries, looking after the administration and logistics behind our school and Duke of Edinburgh programmes, and helping with the day-to-day operational admin that keeps the business organised.
One minute you might be helping an overseas visitor work out which kayaking trip is right for them; the next you’ll be coordinating dates with a school, updating a Duke of Edinburgh programme, or making sure the team has the information they need for the following day’s trips.
You’ll work closely with the business owners and our guiding team, and are keen for someone who is happy to pitch in with all aspects of the business.
What You’ll Be Doing
Tourism Bookings & Customer Coordination
- Manage customer enquiries via phone and email
- Coordinate bookings, changes, cancellations and trip information
- Help customers choose the right experience and answer questions about weather, logistics and what to expect
- Keep bookings and customer information accurate and up to date
- Communicate changes clearly when weather or operational factors affect trips
- Help ensure customers receive excellent service from their first enquiry through to their day on the water
Schools & Duke of Edinburgh Programmes
- Coordinate the administration of our school and outdoor education programmes
- Manage our Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey bookings and programme administration
- Liaise with teachers, schools, students and parents
- Coordinate Online Record Book (ORB) requirements
- Organise programme dates, participant information and logistics
- Make sure everyone has the right information before programmes head out
- Keep communication and administration moving throughout the school term
Operations & Administration
- Support the day-to-day administration of our tourism and outdoor education operations
- Keep operational documents, calendars and information organised and up to date
- Help coordinate vehicles, equipment and other logistical requirements
- Make sure guides have the information they need for upcoming trips and programmes
- Follow up on operational tasks and help make sure things don’t fall through the cracks
- Assist with suppliers and general business administration as required
- Identify simple ways we can improve our systems, processes and workflows
- Pitch in with the random jobs that inevitably come with running a small adventure tourism business
About You
We’re looking for an organised, capable person who genuinely enjoys making things run smoothly.
You’ll be comfortable having several things on the go at once and able to work out what needs your attention first. You’re the sort of person who follows things through, communicates well and notices when something hasn’t quite been sorted yet.
You’ll spend plenty of time communicating with customers, teachers, parents, guides and the business owners, so being friendly, confident and clear is important.
You might currently be working in tourism, administration, customer service, events, education or another coordination role and be ready to take on more responsibility.
Must Have
- Experience in administration, coordination, customer service or a similar role
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Confidence dealing with customers by phone and email
- Ability to juggle multiple priorities and keep track of details
- A practical approach to problem-solving
- Confidence working independently and taking ownership of tasks
- Good general computer and administration skills
- A full clean New Zealand driver’s licence
- Eligibility to work permanently in New Zealand
- Willingness to undergo police vetting and sign our Child Protection and Drug & Alcohol policies
Bonus Points For
- Experience in tourism, outdoor education or working with schools
- Experience using booking systems such as Rezdy, FareHarbor or similar
- Experience coordinating programmes, events or group bookings
- Familiarity with the Duke of Edinburgh Award
- Ability to tow a trailer
Kayaking experience isn’t required, but an enthusiasm for the outdoors and adventure tourism definitely helps.
Hours & Flexibility
- Approximately 32–40 hours per week – flexible for the right candidate.
- Monday to Friday
- Occasional monitoring of phones and reservations may be required on weekends during peak summer periods
Weekend cover isn’t expected to be a regular part of the role, but we’d like someone who is comfortable helping out occasionally when needed to keep things running smoothly.
This role could suit someone looking for meaningful work with a bit of flexibility. As a family-owned business with young children ourselves, we understand the realities of balancing work and family life and are open to discussing working arrangements that work for both the successful applicant and the business.
Why Join Us?
- Flexible working environment
- Small, friendly and supportive team
- Plenty of variety — this definitely isn’t a job where every day looks the same
- Autonomy and ownership without having to manage a team
- Outdoor industry lifestyle
- The opportunity to work across both tourism and outdoor education
- Work with a respected and established Auckland tourism business doing some pretty cool things in the Hauraki Gulf
Remuneration
Salary will be based on experience and capability. We are offering between $65,000 to $72,000 a year pro rata.
If you’re organised, good with people, have decent banter and are the kind of person who likes getting things sorted, we’d love to hear from you.
To apply, please send your CV and a brief cover letter to info@aucklandseakayaks.co.nz.
Applications close Friday 21 August, with the successful candidate ideally joining our team in early September.
