Tour Guide

Navi Tours New Zealand is an Auckland-based, Qualmark-endorsed tour operator. We run Japanese-language guided tours of New Zealand for Japanese-speaking visitors, covering Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Waipoua Forest, Tiritiri Matangi Island, the Waitākere Ranges, Matakana, and Auckland-region wineries, along with multi-day North Island itineraries and tailored private tours.

We are looking for a Tour Guide to lead these tours and be the face of the company to our visitors on the day.

About the role

You’ll deliver our Japanese-language guided tours from start to finish — picking participants up from their Auckland accommodation, driving the tour vehicle to each destination, giving commentary along the way, looking after the group through the day, and getting everyone back safely. Day to day, you will:

•    Lead day and multi-day tours departing Auckland, and provide Japanese-language commentary on Māori culture and history, New Zealand natural history, geology and geothermal features, native flora and fauna, film tourism sites, and local heritage — adapting your commentary, pace, and walking distances to each group.

•    Drive the company vehicle to and from tour destinations, carry out pre-departure checks, and keep it clean and serviceable between tours.

•    Run safety and biosecurity properly — deliver safety briefings, apply Department of Conservation protocols (including kauri dieback measures and Tiritiri Matangi biosecurity), carry out hazard checks, and respond to anything that comes up during the day, including first aid and weather changes.

•    Coordinate on the day with attraction operators and partners — Hobbiton, Waitomo, Te Puia, ferry operators, and wineries — and manage tickets, bookings, participant lists, and on-tour costs.

•    Handle preparation and wrap-up for each tour, welcome and orient participants, gather feedback, and report back to the operations team.

•    Support Japanese-speaking clients before, during, and after the tour, and help with practical cultural orientation to New Zealand (currency, etiquette, and the like).

Hours and pay

Permanent, full-time, with a minimum of 30 guaranteed hours per week. Start and finish times vary with the tour roster, and weekend and public holiday work is part of the role.

What you’ll need

•    A qualification at NZQCF Level 4 or above in tourism, intercultural or international studies, cultural studies, languages, or a related field — or at least three years’ relevant experience involving intercultural communication, delivering commentary or information to groups, and independently managing the customer or visitor experience.

•    Native or near-native Japanese, as the tours are delivered in Japanese to Japanese-speaking visitors, together with working English for dealing with operators, accommodation providers, and others during the day.

•    A full New Zealand driver licence (Class 1) with a current passenger (P) endorsement or eligibility to apply for one. If you hold an overseas licence, you’ll need to convert it within the timeframe allowed under New Zealand law.

•    A current first aid certificate, or willingness to obtain one (at our cost), and a clean driving record.

•    Physical fitness for light to moderate walks at tour sites, including bush tracks, and availability for weekend and public holiday work.

You’ll be well suited to this role if you have strong interpersonal skills, are comfortable managing groups of mixed ages and abilities, and can work independently across a full tour day.

Training

We provide a structured induction covering tour routes, commentary content, supplier protocols, Māori cultural content, Department of Conservation procedures, vehicle operation, and our health and safety policies, with ongoing support for first aid renewal and relevant further training.

How to apply

Apply through this listing with your CV and a short covering note. Applications close 30 June 2026.