Current vacancies

Environmental & Planning Advisor – Graduate / Early-Career

Location:  Central Otago or Taranaki (all locations considered)

Reporting to: Environment & Planning Manager (Kymber Kennedy)

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours/week

Salary: $63,000 – $70,000 per year, dependent on experience - recent graduates encouraged to apply

About the role

Kākāriki Renewable Developments (Kākāriki) is an independent renewable energy developer delivering a national pipeline of wind, solar and storage projects across Aotearoa New Zealand. We are expanding our Environment and Planning function and are seeking an enthusiastic recent graduate or early-career professional to join team.

Working directly with the Environment & Planning Manager, the role provides project coordination, environmental, planning and stakeholder support across the project development lifecycle. The position is designed as an entry-level development role, providing exposure to project development, environmental management, resource consenting, stakeholder engagement and renewable energy project delivery.

Key responsibilities

• Monitor RMA reform and the broader environmental policy landscape as it affects Kākāriki's projects.

• Assist with project information gathering.

• Support resource consent applications across Kākāriki's wind, solar and storage project pipeline.

• Support field investigations and technical assessments.

• Support mana whenua and community engagement alongside the Environment and Planning Manager.

• Contribute to project management, research, milestone tracking and reporting across the team.

• Support document management and project filing systems.

About you

• A tertiary qualification in environmental science, resource management, sustainability, development studies or a related discipline.

• 0-3 years' relevant experience; recent graduates, early-level or career-change candidates are encouraged to apply.

• A genuine and demonstrated commitment to environmental and social values, and openness to te ao Māori principles.

• Broad awareness of environmental issues, resource management and developments in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.

• Ideally based in Central Otago or Taranaki, and able to work a hybrid schedule with flexibility around hours.

• Experience with renewable energy projects and/or GIS is an advantage but not essential.

• Passionate about sustainability and delivering projects with positive social, economic and environmental impact.

• Curious, proactive and keen to learn, and looking to build a career in providing impactful solutions.

Why join Kākāriki

Kākāriki is working toward "600% Renewables" - a vision of Aotearoa New Zealand generating six times more clean electricity than it consumes today.

Backed by Energy Estate, Elemental Group, Regener8 Power and Tāmata Hauhā, we take a Māori-partnerships-first approach to development: mō te taiao, mō te iwi, mō āpōpō - for the environment, for the people, for tomorrow.

Kākāriki offers flexible working arrangements, genuine career development opportunities, and the chance to help shape the energy future of Aotearoa.

How to apply

Send your CV and a cover letter to kymber.kennedy@kakarikirenewables.com, answering the following questions:

1. Tell us about a time your personal environmental values shaped a decision or action you took.

2. Renewable energy development is often presented as a holistic environmental solution, but it carries its own tensions and trade-offs. In your view, how can Indigenous knowledge systems and te ao Māori principles strengthen environmental outcomes specifically within renewable energy development in Aotearoa New Zealand?

Applications close Monday, 14 September 2026.

Eligible applicants must be New Zealand Citizens, Permanent Residents or have legal rights to work in New Zealand.

At Kākāriki, people are at the heart of all we do. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to fostering a working environment that values diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We welcome applications from people of all cultural and linguistic groups, people of all ages and genders, people with a disability, and people from the LGBTQIA+ community.