Kitchen Assistant

You can help bring our villages to life!

Summerset Waikanae is preparing to open the doors to its brand-new cafe – a stunning addition to our already vibrant village community. With its beautiful location this new space will be the jewel in our crown – and we’re looking for a friendly, energetic Kitchen Assistant to help bring it to life.

At Summerset, from the moment we start developing a village, to when our residents call it home, it’s the passion and dedication of our people that brings our villages to life. We are one team united by being part of something bigger – to bring the best of life to our residents.

Job Description

As a Kitchen Assistant for our Waikanae Village you’ll be at the heart of our kitchen’s day-to-day operations. Your support will help ensure our chefs can deliver nutritious, high-quality meals to our residents and visitors. From assisting with food prep to keeping the kitchen clean and organised, you’ll make a big difference behind the scenes – and you’ll be appreciated for it.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with basic food preparation such as peeling, chopping and portioning
• Helping with plating and presentation of meals
• Operating dishwashers and ensuring all kitchenware is properly sanitised
• Keeping kitchen areas clean, organised, and compliant
• Helping to receive, unpack and store deliveries, including stock rotation

This is a part-time role working 2-4 days per week, 11am - 7pm. You will need to be able to work one weekend day per week.

This role will commence on the 9th February 2026 with full-time training between Monday and Friday.

What we are looking for:

You’re approachable, reliable, and a team player with a strong work ethic and a genuine desire to contribute to a high-performing kitchen. You’ll also bring:

• Previous work experience ideally within hospitality
• A friendly, can-do attitude and great communication skills
• Good physical stamina
• The ability to work independently and as part of a supportive team

At Summerset, we believe diversity strengthens our team and enriches the care we provide. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life—including those with transferable skills from other industries. You may not tick all the requirements, and that’s okay; we value what you bring to the table and look at the whole individual. We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to thrive.

Equal opportunity is at the heart of how we recruit, and we encourage you to bring your unique perspective and passion to our team.

What we offer:

We are proud to show our appreciation for the passion and commitment our people show every day, by offering a selection of employee benefits:

Our benefits include:

• Ongoing training and career development
• Paid day off for your birthday
• Uniform provided

Next Steps: Applications for this role will close on Tuesday 16th December. This role may close early due to an increased number of applications - apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!