Careers
Join the Team
At Southland Kindergartens Association, tamariki and their whānau are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to forming supportive and respectful relationships with each family, recognising the unique strengths and needs of every child. Our approach is centred around creating a warm and inclusive environment where tamariki feel safe, valued, and supported to learn at their own pace.
Why work for SKA?
Being part of our SKA means you would be part of a community focussed organisation and actively involved in contributing to the well-being and development of our local tamariki. You will be supporting equitable access to quality education, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.
We recognise the importance of growth through professional learning opportunities being supported on a regular basis. For our Kaiako this is further supported by way of the Kindergarten Teachers Collective Agreement, which can be found here.
With 24 locations throughout Southland we have many internal opportunities for change our support our staff to grow and evolve.
Our operational roles play a crucial part in delivering an excellent ECE service to our community and we have a strong focus on ensuring our staff are supported to carry these roles the best we can.
We welcome your enquiry to become part of our team and help us support our Southland Community.
Job Vacancies
We have the following vacancies available.
- Invercargill
- Northern Southland
- Gore
- Fiordland
We have many opportunities for relievers! With our kindergartens moving to full year over 2026 (no term breaks) it means we have plenty of work available around the region to help cover various leave.
This is a role that might suit you to have flexibility to pick the shifts that work for you, rather than joining us on a permanent basis. Its also a great way to move into the amazing world of Kindergarten teaching and work along our experienced kaiako.
If you’re keen to apply, you need:
- Hold a Bachelors Degree in ECE (or equivalent NZ recognised qualification)
- Registered with NZ Teaching Council
- Current First Aid Certificate.
Pop through your CV and cover letter to apply at jobs@ska.co.nz.
If you are overseas, please do not apply as we are unable to support visas.
Grasmere Kindergarten is seeking a passionate and enthusiastic Kaiako to join our team in a permanent 0.5 FTE position.
This is an exciting opportunity for a kaiako who is eager to be part of a collaborative and supportive teaching environment where relationships, play-based learning, and quality outcomes for tamariki are highly valued. At Grasmere Kindergarten, we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where tamariki feel a strong sense of belonging and are supported to learn and grow through meaningful experiences, exploration, and positive relationships.
We are looking for someone who:
- Holds a recognised ECE qualification
- Holds a current practising certificate
- Holds a current first aid certificate
- Builds warm, respectful relationships with tamariki, whānau, and colleagues
- Brings enthusiasm, flexibility, and a positive team-focused approach
- Has excellent communication and reflective practice skills
- Is committed to contributing positively to our kindergarten community
What We Offer:
- A supportive and collaborative teaching team
- Ongoing professional growth opportunities
- A well-resourced learning environment
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of tamariki and whānau
- A positive and welcoming kindergarten culture
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to jobs@ska.co.nz. Please quote job G05 within your application.
Applications close: Sunday 31st May 2026
If you are overseas, please do not apply as we are unable to support visas and will not respond.
Newfield Kindergarten is seeking a passionate and enthusiastic Kaiako to join our team in a permanent 0.5 FTE position.
This exciting opportunity has arisen as a result of a change to our service model. We are looking for a kaiako who is eager to be part of a collaborative environment where relationships, play-based learning, and quality outcomes for tamariki are highly valued.
At Newfield Kindergarten, we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where tamariki feel a strong sense of belonging and are supported to learn and grow through meaningful experiences and exploration.
We are looking for someone who:
- Holds a recognised ECE qualification
- Holds a current practising certificate
- Holds a current first aid certificate
- Builds warm, respectful relationships with tamariki, whānau, and colleagues
- Brings enthusiasm, flexibility, and a positive team-focused approach
- Is excited by the opportunity to contribute to a growing kindergarten community
- Has excellent communication and reflective practice skills
What We Offer:
- A supportive and collaborative teaching team
- The opportunity to contribute to an evolving and growing service
- Ongoing professional growth opportunities
- A well-resourced learning environment
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of tamariki and whānau
To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to jobs@ska.co.nz. Please quote job N05
Applications close: Sunday 31st May 2026
If you are overseas, please do not apply as we are unable to support visas and will not respond.
Longbush Kindergarten is seeking a passionate and committed Kaiako to join our teaching team in a permanent full-time (1.0 FTE) position.
Nestled within a warm and supportive rural community, Longbush Kindergarten offers a unique environment where strong relationships, a sense of belonging, and meaningful connections with whānau are at the heart of our practice. We value play-based learning, exploration, and creating an inclusive space where tamariki can thrive.
We are looking for someone who:
- Holds a recognised ECE qualification
- Holds a current practising certificate
- Holds a current first aid certificate
- Values the strengths and connections that come with being part of a rural community
- Builds warm, respectful relationships with tamariki, whānau, and colleagues
- Brings enthusiasm, initiative, and a collaborative approach to teaching
- Has excellent communication and reflective practice skills
What We Offer:
- A supportive and collaborative teaching team
- The opportunity to work within a close-knit rural community
- Ongoing professional growth opportunities
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of tamariki and whānau
- Employment conditions under the Kindergarten Teachers’ Collective Agreement (KTCA)
This is a permanent 1.0 FTE position.
To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to jobs@ska.co.nz. Please Quote job L01 within your application.
Applications close Thursday 21st May 2026
If you are overseas please do not apply as we cannot support visas and will not respond.
Longford Kindergarten is seeking an enthusiastic and nurturing kaiako to join our teaching team in a permanent 0.5FTE position. This means a 20 hour week covering lunch breaks and a bit more!
Located in Gore, Longford Kindergarten is a welcoming and well-established kindergarten with strong community connections and a focus on creating meaningful learning experiences for tamariki. We value respectful relationships, teamwork, and providing an environment where children feel supported, confident, and inspired to learn.
This role would suit a kaiako who enjoys working collaboratively, brings a positive and adaptable approach, and is passionate about quality early childhood education.
We are seeking someone who:
- Holds a recognised ECE qualification and current NZ Teaching Council registration
- Holds a current first aid certificate
- Demonstrates a warm, inclusive, and child-focused teaching practice
- Has knowledge of Te Whāriki and current ECE teaching approaches
- Builds positive relationships with tamariki, whānau, and colleagues
- Is organised, reliable, and contributes positively to team culture
- Enjoys being involved in the wider kindergarten community
We offer:
- A supportive and experienced teaching team
- Ongoing professional learning and development opportunities
- A positive and collaborative working environment
- Pay and conditions in accordance with the Kindergarten Teachers Collective Agreement
If this sounds like the opportunity you have been looking for, we welcome your application.
Applications close Sunday 31 May 2026
Please quote job LF05 when applying for this role.
Pop through your CV and cover letter to apply at jobs@ska.co.nz.
If you are overseas, please do not apply as we are unable to support visas.
Are you a passionate and positive kaiako who enjoys working in a busy, vibrant kindergarten environment?
We are seeking an enthusiastic and caring kaiako to join our team at Lees Street Kindergarten in a permanent 0.5FTE, 20 hours per week, lunch cover role. This is a wonderful opportunity to become part of a supportive teaching team within a fast-paced and well-loved kindergarten community.
Lees Street Kindergarten is a busy and engaging learning environment where relationships, fun, and quality teaching practice are highly valued. We are looking for someone who can confidently step into the daily rhythm of the kindergarten, support children’s learning and wellbeing, and work collaboratively alongside the teaching team.
We are looking for someone who:
- Holds a recognised ECE qualification within NZ
- Holds a current NZ Teaching Council registration
- Holds a current first aid certificate
- Is warm, flexible, and able to build strong relationships with tamariki, whānau, and colleagues
- Enjoys working in a busy and energetic environment
- Has a good understanding of Te Whāriki and quality teaching practice
- Brings enthusiasm, initiative, and a team-focused attitude
- Values inclusive practice and respectful relationships
We offer:
- A welcoming and supportive team environment
- Ongoing professional support and development
- The opportunity to work within a well-resourced kindergarten
- Conditions and remuneration in accordance with the Kindergarten Teachers Collective Agreement
If you are looking for a rewarding part-time role where you can make a genuine difference each day, we would like to hear from you.
Applications close Sunday 31 May 2026
Please quote job LS05 when applying for this role.
Pop through your CV and cover letter to apply at jobs@ska.co.nz.
If you are overseas, please do not apply as we are unable to support visas.
We are seeking a warm, enthusiastic and reliable Kaiako to join the team at Fiordland Kindergarten Association in a permanent 0.5 FTE Lunch Cover role based in Te Anau.
This position provides valuable support across the kindergarten day, helping ensure smooth transitions, break cover, and continuity of care for tamariki and the teaching team.
About the Role
- Permanent part-time position
- 0.5 FTE (20 hours per week)
- Lunch cover
- Based in beautiful Te Anau
You will work alongside a passionate and supportive teaching team, contributing to a positive learning environment where tamariki are encouraged to explore, grow and thrive.
We Are Looking For Someone Who:
- Holds a recognised ECE qualification
- Holds a current practising certificate
- Holds a current first aid certificate
- Builds strong, respectful relationships with tamariki, whānau and colleagues
- Is flexible, dependable and enjoys being part of a collaborative team
- Brings energy, initiative and a caring approach to their work
- Has a sound understanding of Te Whāriki and quality early childhood practice
What We Offer
- A welcoming and supportive team environment
- Ongoing professional growth opportunities
- The chance to work in one of New Zealand’s most stunning communities
- Employment conditions under the Kindergarten Teachers’ Collective Agreement (KTCA)
If you are passionate about supporting tamariki and would enjoy being part of our Fiordland whānau, we would like to hear from you.
Pop through your CV and cover letter to apply at jobs@ska.co.nz. Please quote job F05 within your application.
Application close Thursday 21 May 2026
If you are overseas, please do not apply as we are unable to support visas and will not respond.
Fiordland Kindergarten Association is seeking a passionate and committed Kaiako to join our team in a full-time fixed term position based in beautiful Fiordland.
This is a 1.0 FTE fixed term role commencing in June 2026 for a period of one year, with the possibility of extension beyond this date.
About the Role
We are looking for a Kaiako who is enthusiastic about creating meaningful learning experiences for tamariki and enjoys working collaboratively within a supportive teaching team.
This role offers the opportunity to work within a strong kindergarten environment that values relationships, community connection, learning through play, and high-quality early childhood education.
We Are Looking For Someone Who:
- Holds a NZ recognised ECE qualification
- Holds a current practising certificate with NZ Teaching Council
- Holds a current first aid certificate
- Demonstrates a strong understanding of Te Whāriki and quality teaching practice
- Builds positive and respectful relationships with tamariki, whānau and colleagues
- Is reflective, collaborative and committed to ongoing professional growth
- Brings warmth, energy and initiative to their teaching practice
- Values working as part of a supportive team environment
What We Offer
- Full-time employment under the Kindergarten Teachers’ Collective Agreement (KTCA)
- A welcoming and supportive team culture
- Professional growth and development opportunities
- The opportunity to live and work in the stunning Te Anau / Fiordland community
If you are passionate about early childhood education and would like to be part of our Fiordland whānau, we would like to hear from you.
Pop through your CV and cover letter to apply at jobs@ska.co.nz. Please quote job F01 in your application.
Application close Thursday 21 May 2026
If you are overseas, please do not apply as we are unable to support visas and will not respond.
Relievers
We have opportunities for relievers too – it might suit you to have flexibility to pick the shifts that work for you, rather than joining us on a permanent basis.
We are always on the lookout for:
- Qualified Relievers
- Kindergarten Support – Untrained
If you’re interested, send your CV and cover letter to hr@ska.co.nz
Want to know more? Phone us on (03) 2140 237 or complete the contact form below.