Sustainability Carpenter

About the Role: Sustainability Carpenter, Canterbury

Cook Brothers Construction is seeking an innovative, environmentally driven carpenter to join our Canterbury team as a Sustainability Carpenter. This is a unique opportunity to play a hands-on role in helping us achieve our goal of becoming New Zealand’s most sustainable construction company.

We recognise our responsibility to the environment, and this role is central to reducing waste across our construction projects. Working closely with our Site Teams, Yard Manager, Procurement Manager and Sustainability Manager, you will champion sustainable practices and lead waste minimisation initiatives across our builds.

In this role, you will bring creativity and practical skills together—repurposing timber and materials into items such as toys, community furniture, or resale products, and ensuring usable materials are donated or reused wherever possible. You’ll also have the rewarding opportunity to deliver sustainability workshops to school-aged children, inspiring the next generation to value environmental responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging, sustainability-focused workshops for school-aged children
• Build and maintain strong relationships within the wider community
• Champion sustainable on-site practices and develop systems to divert waste from landfill
• Creatively repurpose construction materials for community use or resale
• Support site teams with general carpentry and site tasks as required
• Foster a positive, collaborative team culture alongside trade partners
• Develop and maintain community partnerships
• Promote and actively participate in a strong health and safety culture

About You

Hands-on building experience in residential or commercial construction is required, or a recognised carpentry trade qualification. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential, along with the ability to think creatively and develop practical, innovative solutions.

The role requires someone who can confidently engage with and educate school-aged children, adapting their approach to suit different audiences. Flexibility and an open-minded attitude are important, with the ability to respond positively to new ideas, changing situations, and a diverse range of people.

A collaborative mindset is key, with the ability to contribute effectively within a close-knit team. A current New Zealand driver’s licence and permanent working rights in New Zealand are essential.

About Us

At Cook Brothers Construction, we back our teams to take ownership, make smart calls, and deliver with pride. Our strength lies in our people and their drive to continually raise the bar. This has led to a legacy of 20 years of dedication and teamwork. We value hard work, celebrate achievements, and take pride in the results we create and the connections we form.

From our Dunedin roots to growth across Auckland, Canterbury, Southern Lakes, Wānaka, and Otago, we’ve built a reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading construction firms.

Our foundations are clear: innovation, quality, sustainability, client satisfaction, health, safety and wellbeing.

If you’re looking to contribute to a company that values trust, collaboration, and growth, Cook Brothers is the place to be.

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a supportive, high-performing construction team. If you are ready to take the next step in your career with a company that values its people - apply now!

At Cook Brothers Construction, your health, safety, and wellbeing are our top priority. Before starting with us, you’ll need to complete and pass a pre-employment medical, including drug and alcohol testing.

If you are not currently based in Canterbury, please confirm your willingness and timeframe to relocate in your cover letter.

Please note, we are not accepting applications from external recruitment agencies for this role.

We will be reviewing applications early January and conducting Interviews mid to late January.

Please submit your application via Seek