Small group tours. Operational leadership. Real responsibility.
This is a permanent hybrid role. You'll guide small-group tours and act as our Auckland 2IC on weekends, so the day-to-day operation doesn't depend on one person.
How the week works
2 cover days a week as Auckland 2IC. Weekends are required.
2 guiding days a week, with a 3rd offered when tours allow. Guiding days are flexible and rostered around operational needs.
Extra cover days in peak summer, by agreement.
Pay has two parts: a cover day rate and a daily guiding rate. We'll talk you through exactly how it works at interview.
Before you apply, please read the non-negotiables
You must:
Hold a full, clean NZ driver licence with Passenger Endorsement
Be fluent in clear, confident English
Have full rights to work in New Zealand
Be comfortable with long tour days (up to 14 hours)
Be calm and capable making real-time decisions
Be respected as a high-standard operator
This is not an entry-level role.
About us
Cheeky Kiwi Travel is one of New Zealand's top small-group tour operators. From Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Te Anau, we run tours to the country's most iconic destinations, including Milford Sound, Mt Cook, Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Tekapo and more.
We love showing off our amazing country and creating fun, memorable days for our guests.
About the role
This position exists to strengthen Auckland operations and build leadership support within the guiding team.
Guiding days: Deliver small-group tours to destinations such as Hobbiton, Waitomo, Rotorua, Bay of Islands and Coromandel.
Cover days (2IC): You're the operational lead for the day. That means:
Being the first point of contact for guides on the road
Supporting new guides in real time
Handling vehicle swaps and schedule changes
Liaising with suppliers when required
Making practical decisions to keep tours running smoothly
Escalating serious issues through our escalation process
Some cover days are quiet. When they are, you'll use the time on guide training, ride-alongs and feedback sessions.
You are not managing HR. You are not doing contracts. You are not replacing the Operations Manager.
Guiding and leading are different skills
Being a great guide gets you in the door, but it isn't the same job. On a cover day you're looking after the whole day, not just your own tour. That means:
Making calls for other people, such as swapping a van, reshuffling a roster or deciding whether a tour runs
Staying calm when someone else's day goes sideways, and helping them fix it rather than taking it over
Giving honest, useful feedback to guides who are your peers
Knowing what to sort yourself and what to escalate
Keeping track of the bigger picture: who's where, in which vehicle, and what's changing
You don't need to have managed people before. We do want to see that you've led or supported others in some way, formally or informally. That could be training a new guide, covering for a colleague, or running a tricky situation on the road.
Training and guide development
Supporting onboarding of new guides
Conducting training, ride-alongs and feedback sessions
Helping standardise commentary and guest experience
Being a steady, experienced voice within the team
You should be someone others naturally look to for guidance.
Who this suits
An experienced, high-performing guide
Calm under pressure
Practical and solutions-focused
Comfortable leading without ego
Interested in stepping up without stepping away from guiding
This is ideal for someone who wants more responsibility but still loves being on tour. Great guiding is the starting point. We also want to see some leadership, formal or informal.
What you'll get
A permanent role with guaranteed cover days and guiding days
Clear weekend 2IC responsibility
Flexible guiding days where tours allow
Pay that reflects both parts of the role
More responsibility and visibility as Auckland grows
When you apply
Please tell us:
Why you want this role
Why you'd be good at it
An example of a time you've led, supported or made a call for others. It doesn't need to be from tourism.
If you're ready to guide at a high level and take real ownership of the operational day, we'd love to hear from you.