Forester – Hawkes Bay
Hawkes Bay - Napier City
Forestry and Horticulture – Forests /
On-site
· Manage a portfolio of forests on Pāmu farms
· Relocation costs, health, and life insurance
· $80,000 to $106,000 – expected appointment range
Regular travel - discover the essence of living and working in the Hawkes Bay
The Opportunity
The Hawkes Bay offers a dynamic mix of activities with sunshine, beaches, rivers and mountains, it also has a thriving forestry industry. This role will operate across Central and Northern Hawkes Bay, so you will enjoy the travel, but home (your base) could be anywhere in the region.
Pāmu is leading the way in large scale farm forestry approaches, which can be modelled across NZ. We are innovative and trying new things to grow high value forests. You get to join this journey and help manage a diverse forestry portfolio. You will be influential in designing afforestation plans with an emphasis on alternative tree species where they are most suitable.
You will maintain 2,220ha of forest in the region, to the highest standards from both a technical and commercial aspect. You will work on existing farm forests ranging from 5ha to 500ha in size to improve the final crop and environmental impacts of forestry, you will lead and implement forest afforestation plans.
This is not a desk job, your days will be varied, in the forest (3-4 days a week) managing crews, navigating the terrain, and interacting with our farm team, the other (1-2 days a week) will be spent in the office (this could be working from home) planning, preparing budgets, and attending meetings, the office days will be solo, so you will be comfortable working independently. Your manager is supportive and will empower you to make decisions.
The expected appointing range for this role is: $80,000 to $106,000 – depending on skills and experience.
Why Choose the Hawkes Bay
The Hawke's offers a blend of natural beauty, a pleasant climate, and a vibrant lifestyle. Known for its stunning landscapes, including vineyards and beaches, and its sunny, temperate weather, the region is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Hawke's Bay boasts a renowned food and wine scene, and a strong sense of community. Its rich cultural heritage, beach, rivers and mountains make it an appealing choice for those seeking a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.
About You
You will join a growing team and drive the collaboration and sharing of best forestry practice across Pāmu, and you will relay these expectations to forestry contractors and farm teams. So, you must have:
· A proven record for successfully delivering forestry work programmes
· Sound knowledge of relevant legal and policy frameworks
· A relevant tertiary qualification
· Leadership experience, including managing people
· Strong relationship management skills
· Proven planning, influencing and facilitation skills
· A commitment to promoting health and safety standards and practices
Benefits
We offer a competitive salary, health and life Insurance along with extended parental leave benefits. Pāmu offers an extra day off during the Christmas break and the role comes with a vehicle for business use.
If you are out of the area, we can chat about relocation support for the successful candidate.
Apply Now
For more details, please contact Penny Baker – Forestry Business Manager: bakerp@landcorp.co.nz or (021) 229 6659.
Applications close Sunday 22 September 2025. We will be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with applicants prior to closing date.
To be eligible for this role, you must be available for an in-person interview and have unrestricted legal rights to work in New Zealand. We are unable to accept applicants on temporary work visas for permanent opportunities.
Pāmu provides a safe workplace and the successful applicant will be required to pass a drug and alcohol test and undergo a criminal background check prior to being appointed.
Our values are core to who we are at Pāmu and the way that we all work together. We are Grounded, Genuine, Bold, and Shoulder-to-Shoulder. To read more, click on this link to see them on our website. To see what it's like to work in our Dairy team, click on this link to see A Day In The Life of a Dairy Assistant at Pāmu, or to learn about what our Livestock team is all about, click on this link to see A Day In The Life of a Shepherd at Pāmu.
Pāmu is the brand name for Landcorp Farming Limited, and successful applicants will be employed by Landcorp Farming Limited.
