Raft Guide

Whitewater rafting is one of the best extreme experiences in Queenstown and we intend to keep it that way. That's why we are looking for paddle pros who love to take on the river and take our guests where the jet boats fear to go.

You will be a whitewater legend, responsible for safely guiding small groups down the Kawarau and Shotover rivers and delivering a memorable paddle experience.

An emphasis on safety is a non-negotiable, and your decision-making skills are sound and well thought out.

We are after good energy, the type people gravitate towards. The team player kind of person who is clued up with current swift water rescue and first aid qualifications. If you are passionate about the outdoors and love to guide groups of travellers, then we want to hear from you!

As Part Of This Role You Will

• Interact with guests, spin a yarn and share some fun facts as you travel down stream
• Demonstrate personal and professional rafting skills
• Use verbal and visual demonstrations, demonstrate paddle strokes, control of raft, safety instructions and self-rescue skills

What do you get out of this?

• Full time work with guaranteed hours
• Some amazing staff benefits: take a friend for free with you to explore some of RealNZ's most memorable experiences - visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, cruise Doubtful and Milford Sound, explore Rakiura and dine at Walter peak. Access some great discounts at Cardrona. What an awesome opportunity to explore our back yard without spending a fortune!

To Be Considered For This Role You Will Have

• 3 years' experience rafting grade 4-5 rapids
• NZ Grade 4/5 qualification or Senior Guides are preferred
• Current swift water rescue and first aid qualifications
• Grade 4-5 trip leading experience would be advantageous
• Physically fit and hard working
• Proactive and willing to help in other areas
• Strong communication, a team player who loves interacting with our guests and other team members, and can problem solve and comfortable with making decisions

Additional Information

Location: Queenstown

Number of positions: 12

Employment Type: Fixed Term, Full Time

Hourly rate (dependent on seniority of role): $27 - $33

Guaranteed hours per week: 30

Real People, Real Places, Real Experiences. Welcome To Real.

When's the best time to join the Real whānau? Now's good.

We're the conservation business that's enabled by tourism. We're helping the world, one guest at a time, fall in love with conservation. We're inspiring people to leave their places in better conditions than when they found them. We channel a guest-centric approach that fuels our genuine promise to deliver Aotearoa's most unforgettable experiences.

It's our workplace environment that makes careers at RealNZ more exciting than the regular job. Working for Real could mean you're based anywhere between a secluded island, a scenic fiord, and a snow-capped maunga. Our people, places, and workdays are a great and diverse mixture. It keeps us on our toes and adds value and passion to our work.

At RealNZ, we're committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Guided by our values of Pono (Keep it real) and He waka eke noa (We're all in this together), we embrace and celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences that make our team stronger. Everyone is welcome here.

Job Details

Company RealNZ Reference # 43952 Posted on 18 Aug 2026 Closes on 07 Sep 2026 17:00 Location(s) Queenstown Expertise Raft Guide Job level(s) Entry/graduate, Experienced Work type(s) Fixed Term - Full Time More details (document) PD_Raft Guide (RealNZ) Jun-24.pdf

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