Cook

Are you passionate about creating nutritious meals that delight children and support their development? Do you have a certificate in food handling or willingness to undertake one? Have you been looking for a permanent, part-time role? Kōrero mō te tūranga

• About the role Te Herenga Waka
• Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting for a permanent, part-time Cook to join the Ngā Ratonga Kohungahunga
• University Kids Wellington team at Clermont Terrace, Kelburn.

Key responsibilities

Support Children’s Well-being: Prepare and serve delicious, nutritious meals tailored to individual needs, allergies, and cultural preferences. Create a safe, welcoming kitchen environment and involve children in food preparation to foster positive relationships with food. Assist with supervision and respond flexibly to children’s nutritional needs, including bottle prep and snacks.

Build Strong Relationships with Families: Provide exceptional customer service and communicate openly with parents about menus, nutrition, and food safety. Share recipes, invite input into menu planning, and ensure parents feel confident and respected. Collaborate with Colleagues and the University: Maintain high standards of professionalism, time management, and teamwork.

Engage in ongoing learning and contribute positively to the centre’s culture and compliance with regulations. Maintain Excellence in Kitchen Operations: Ensure food is prepared and presented to the highest standards. Uphold health and safety protocols, manage inventory responsibly, and maintain a clean, organized kitchen.

Ensure food is served on time and ready for children to eat. Work without supervision and demonstrate excellent time management skills. Ensure the kitchen area is kept in a tidy state so that it creates a positive impression to parents and visitors of the centre. Direct others to remove items, clear mess if necessary.

Ō pūmanawa

• About you You will: Be a warm, patient, and proactive individual who loves working with children. Have a strong knowledge of nutrition, food safety, and early childhood dietary needs. Excellent time management and the ability to work independently and a commitment to continuous improvement and respectful collaboration. Key requirements: Ability to work within a budget. Certificate in food handling - or willingness to undertake. Current first aid certificate - or willingness to undertake. A satisfactory Police vet record. Good basic computing skills. This role requires repeated lifting and physical fitness. Role Description : Click here to see further information, including salary details. If this link is not available, click 'apply' to view this on the University career's page. Close date for vacancy: 22 October 2026. Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role please get in touch with Maria-Louisa Maresca, Head of Complex, Clermont Terrace ( maria-louisa.maresca@vuw.ac.nz ). How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter. Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application and understand that if they do not have a current, relevant visa, they will need to secure this independently.