Spend your summer guiding in one of New Zealand’s best coastal environments with a team that values professionalism, safety, and great guiding. 

Sea Kayak & Walk Guides

Location: Abel Tasman National Park
Season: Full-time, fixed-term from late November/early December 2026 (following completion of your course) until April 2027 
Weekends/Public Holiday work is required

About Wilsons Abel Tasman

Wilsons Abel Tasman is a family-owned operation that has been working in Abel Tasman National Park since 1979. We run a mix of half-day, full-day, and multi-day sea kayak and walking trips throughout the park, including lodge-based journeys staying at our two beachfront lodges. 

About the Role

This is a practical, hands-on guiding job with a strong focus on the safe delivery of exceptional guest experiences. 

You’ll guide trips ranging from 2 hours to 5 days in duration, working across sea kayaking, walking, and lodge-based operations. Alongside guiding, you’ll help with equipment set-up and pack-down, guest logistics, and light lodge duties on multi-day trips. 

Our multi-day trips stay at Torrent Bay Lodge and Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa. Staff meals are provided by lodge cooks, with boat support managing supplies and luggage transfers.

Key Responsibilities

  • Guide sea kayak and walking trips from 2 hours to 5 days. 

  • Deliver engaging interpretation on local history, flora, fauna, and conservation. 

  • Ensure trips are run safely and responsibly. 

  • Maintain kayaking and guiding equipment. 

  • Assist with lodge hosting duties on multi-day trips, including light kitchen hand duties, table and bar service. 

  • Support trip logistics, set-up, and clean-down.

Minimum Requirements

  • Tertiary-level qualification in Sea Kayaking. 

  • Restricted driver licence minimum. 

  • Current first aid certificate. 

Minimum Sea Kayak Competency

Applicants progressing beyond the interview stage are required to complete an internal skills assessment. 

Minimum competency requirements include: 

  • Strong paddle strokes and confident manoeuvring in a single sea kayak. 

  • Competent roll on one side. 

  • Reliable self-rescue. 

  • Competent rescue of a double sea kayak. 

  • Ability to land in surf conditions up to 1.5m. 

Preferred Attributes

  • Confident and capable on the water. 

  • Calm under pressure. 

  • Professional with guests. 

  • Great communicators who understand the value of environmental and historical interpretation.  

  • Comfortable working in a team environment. 

  • Able to maintain high safety standards in dynamic conditions. 

 This role suits people who genuinely enjoy guiding and take pride in running smooth, professional trips. 

Why Work with Us?

  • Build your professional outdoor skills with a well-established and respected operator. 

  • Wok alongside experienced guides in a supportive, team-focused environment. 

  • Gain experience across day trips, overnight lodge trips, and special itinerary tours. 

  • Work in one of New Zealand’s most iconic and spectacular coastal environments. 

  • Be part of a team where the culture is strong, the people are awesome and you finish the season with some great friendships.
     

What our guides say about working here 

“Abel Tasman National Park is a world class nature environment. The diverse range of weather, tides, work tasks and guests from far & wide offer rewarding challenges. No two days will ever be the same.” 

— Paddy (Current Wilsons Guide)

 â€œWorking for Wilsons Abel Tasman means joining a company with a proud, generations-long family history of hosting visitors in a small slice of coastal paradise. You work alongside a diverse team of guides, lodge staff, admin, operations team, skippers and boat crew with varied backgrounds, knowledge and skills. There is plenty to learn from: the weather, sea, company, staff, the park and all her stories! No two days are ever the same as you adapt to shifting tides, changing weather and the unique energies of guests.”  

— Michelle (Former Wilsons Guide) 

Apply Now

Applications close Sunday 26 July 2026. 

Interviews will be held Monday 3 & Tuesday 4 August 2026.

Please send your CV and cover letter, or any questions, to:
Jacinta Reidie (Head Guide)
[email protected]

Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park Ltd is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for employees and guests. In the interests of health and safety, successful applicants are required to undertake a pre-employment drug and alcohol test.