Centre Cook - Fixed Term | Busy Bees Ngongotahā
1/11/2026
In this role, you will prepare daily meals for children using fresh ingredients and follow specific nutritional guidelines. You will also maintain high standards of food safety and hygiene while engaging children in learning about food sources.
Working Hours
40 hours/week
Company Size
1,001-5,000 employees
Language
English
Visa Sponsorship
No
Do you love turning fresh, wholesome ingredients into meals that bring a community together? We are looking for a passionate Centre Cook to join our team at Busy Bees Ngongotahā on a fixed-term basis until September 2026. This is a unique opportunity to lead the kitchen in our beautiful lakeside villa, where you will fuel our tamariki with kai that supports their growth, curiosity, and a culture-rich curriculum.
About us
Busy Bees Ngongotahā is a vibrant, home-style centre nestled in a quiet lakeside street, where we aim to create a "home-away-from-home" for our tamariki and whānau. Our kitchen is the heart of this environment, and we are proud holders of the Bronze Healthy Heart Award | Tohu Manawa Ora. We are deeply committed to sustainability, featuring onsite vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and a worm farm that allow our children to become explorers in their own environment. As a member of the Busy Bees Aotearoa network, you will be part of a values-led organization that sees the cook as a key role in wellbeing and daily routines, backed by clear guidelines and a wider supportive network.
About you
You are highly capable and feel comfortable preparing meals for groups and following set menus while maintaining a clean, well-run kitchen. You possess a solid understanding of the Food Act 2014 and the importance of documenting daily food records and cleaning schedules. We are looking for someone warm, friendly, and able to build rapport with tamariki and whānau, as you will be a familiar presence in our centre. You are organized and efficient, with the ability to manage an allocated budget and perform weekly grocery shopping. While experience in an ECE environment is an advantage, we welcome those with a positive, team-centered attitude who are eager to support our sustainable, garden-to-table philosophy.
The mahi
In this fixed-term role, you will prepare daily kai for our tamariki using fresh, wholesome ingredients provided through our partnership with the KidsCan Foundation. You will follow Nourish menus designed with the Heart Foundation to ensure our meals are minimally processed and nutritionally balanced. Your responsibilities include maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene, reporting expenditure to the Centre Manager, and ensuring all early childhood regulations regarding nutrition and safety are met. You will also play a role in our curriculum by involving children in baking and helping them understand where their food comes from through our garden and composting projects.
Why you will love it here
You will work in a stunning home-style villa near the lake with a supportive, locally-based team.
You will receive discounted childcare, competitive remuneration, annual flu vaccinations, and first aid training.
You will benefit from the professional guidance, leadership, and resources of the wider Busy Bees Aotearoa community.
You will know that the food you create each day is making a real difference in the lives of tamariki
If you love creating delicious, nourishing kai and want to be part of a team that values your skill and heart, we would love to hear from you. Please apply with your CV and cover letter
Note: Applicants must have NZ residency or a valid work visa. We are an Accredited Employer.
Why Work for Busy Bees?
If you’re passionate about early learning, Busy Bees is the place to be. Although we are part of a global organisation, our company was founded by three families looking for better, more enriching childcare. Three decades later, we still keep the same values at heart.
We know that we couldn’t do what we do without the important people in our teams. We invest in our people and work with them to build career pathways that inspire.
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