WORK IN AORAKI/MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK & LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE!
We're excited that you're interested in working at one of New Zealand's most iconic hotels, in a world-renowned destination. The Hermitage offers experiential tourism opportunities like nowhere else in the country, with the bonus of living in some of New Zealand’s most spectacular locations - Aoraki/Mount Cook and Queenstown. Aoraki/Mount Cook Village is an incredible, mesmerising place to live that is truly like nowhere else – every day can bring a new adventure.
The Hermitage employs approximately 100 full-time staff year-round and each summer, for our high season of October to April, we employ over 100 more team members, to ensure that our guests have an amazing and unforgettable experience.
We seek team members, particularly to start in September/October, across our hospitality, kitchen, housekeeping, retail, and adventure roles to deliver high-quality guest experiences whilst working at pace. As a team member here you'll get to see every aspect the of hospitality and tourism industry whilst gaining a unique experience from our location, that can be transferred to your next exciting adventure.
Still interested? You can review our current vacancies here, as well as read some useful information below about the area to help you get a better idea as to what life at the Hermitage, Aoraki/Mount Cook is like.Â
If you still have questions or can’t see a vacancy that matches your skills contact us below.
Where is the hotel located?
The Hermitage hotel is located in the beautiful Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, 50 minutes / 60 kilometres from the nearest small town of Twizel, a little over three hours from Queenstown, and approximately four hours from both Christchurch and Dunedin. The village is an adventurer’s paradise, with New Zealand's tallest mountain and sparkling rivers there is an abundance of hikes, bikes, and other activities.
What is living and working in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park like?
Aoraki/Mount Cook is a truly stunning location in the Mackenzie District. Queenstown, Dunedin, and Christchurch are 3-4 hours away and the nearest small town of Twizel 50 minutes away, so it is remote.
As it is a National Park, there are no shops, fast food outlets, or public transport, so if you can’t live without these working for us will not be for you. But, if you love the outdoors, stunning mountains, being connected to nature, and changing seasons that include crisp snow and blue skies, then we could be a match made in heaven. You can find out more about living in a national park from the Department of Conservation.
Your social life revolves around your colleagues and activities are normally based around nature, 90% of the village is made up of team members from the hotel. Teams are close-knit, and the hotel celebrates diversity and different cultures from all over the world. Others living in the village work for the Department of Conservation, Search and Rescue, and other accommodation and activity providers, so the village is very small. Check us out on Google Earth to see the villages remote location nestled amongst the Southern Alps.
A lot of your time will be spent outdoors in various weather conditions, exploring all that the National Park has to offer. If you are working with us through winter, you many of the team will go to the local ski fields on their days off. In summer when the days are long, hiking in the great outdoors is a number one activity for the team.
Moving to the village will give you the opportunity to make lifelong friends and build connections. With regular get-togethers, whether it is an all-staff party, a department get-together, or a small group going hiking or camping in summer, there is often something happening. When recruiting, we look for like-minded individuals who will enjoy the village lifestyle and the National Park. Living in shared housing provides the opportunity to meet team members from other departments.
What is the climate like?
Aoraki Mount Cook is situated in the marine west coast climate zone which results in a cool summer. It is a place where the influence of the sea is significant in shaping the weather conditions.
The average monthly temperature across the year ranges between a low of -2.2°C (28°F) in June to August, to a high of 20.7°C (69.3°F) in December to February. Daylight hours range from 9 hours in winter to 15.4 hours in summer, whereas sunshine hours per day range from 2.2 hours to 6 hours.
Humidity remains relatively high throughout the year, fluctuating between 71.5% to 83.2%. Rainfall varies, with minimum levels down to 278mm (10.94") and peaking up to 487mm (19.17").
What are the benefits?
Well, besides living in a slice of paradise, we offer team members discounts on retail items, as well as food and beverages.
Team members can experience our tourism activities for free and receive discounts on hotel & motel accommodation for family and friends, subject to availability.
Can I come to the village with my partner or friend?
Depending on the role, if both of you apply and are successful you can absolutely come with your partner or a friend. We accommodate couples together and will try our best to accommodate friends in the same housing, however, please note this is not always possible as it depends on our capacity and availability at the time.
Do you provide transport to and from the hotel?
If you don’t have your own vehicle, we can collect new team members from Twizel, the closest town to Aoraki/Mount Cook. Twizel can be reached by Intercity bus as well as other bus companies from locations including Christchurch, Dunedin, and Queenstown.
Where will I stay during my time?
Private home ownership is not possible within national parks in New Zealand, so we have accommodation at subsidised rental rates for all team members. Accommodation types available vary from staying in larger rooms with private bathrooms, to shared houses with shared facilities, and availability will vary depending on our current occupancy. In each case, tenants are responsible for the property during their stay, just the same as a normal rental outside of a national park, and there is a handover process upon arrival and departure. Rates are weekly with power and in most cases Wi-Fi included.
Do you offer sponsorship?
We are an accredited employer which means we can apply for Job Tokens for our vacancies where appropriate and in line with Immigration New Zealand requirements. All prospective employees must demonstrate eligibility to work in New Zealand, either as citizens, residents, holding an appropriate work visa, or eligible to apply for a visa in line with Immigration New Zealand’s requirements.
Please note: We (AMCAVL) do not cover visa costs or any associated costs for relocation. You can visit Immigration New Zealand to see what is involved in the Immigration process.Â
My visa only allows me to work for 3 months for one employer; can I still apply?
Absolutely! Aoraki/Mount Cook is perfect for those on working holiday visas, whether this is 3 months or 12 months. If you have a ‘can do’ attitude, love the outdoors, and a passion for guest experience; then keep an eye on our vacancies as we would love to hear from you!
I just submitted my application, what can I expect?
If your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role the Head of Department will reach out to arrange a video-based interview, we will then do reference checks. On occasions, more than one interview is required. If you are not quite right for the position, you will receive an email letting you know.