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.

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 ( [email protected] ).

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.