Peran Hutchings – Splash Planet

Splash Planet in Hastings is Hawkes Bay's number one 'family day out' destination, attracting thousands of fun seekers each summer. Manager Peran Hutchings employs up to 70 staff each season to help run the 6.5 hectare grounds and pool facilities. This year, he had around 800 applications for jobs. Five of Splash Planet's key staff members are Limited Service Volunteer graduates, who've completed a six week residential motivational training camp run through the New Zealand Defence Force in Wellington. It's a programme that helps beneficiaries improve their motivation, self-discipline and self-confidence.

The decision to take on five Limited Service Volunteers was easy for Peran Hutchings. He recognised the graduates were motivated young people who were looking to change their lives and needed an opportunity. Under the initiative, each Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) has half their wages subsidised by Work and Income over the first six months of their employment. That equates to $5,000 per employee. Peran Hutchings employed four LSV's last season and one more recently. He says with the six month subsidy he was able to start getting the park ready for opening, six months earlier than usual and as a result, Splash Planet has "never looked better". All five are now full-time staff members with a range of responsibilities including life guarding, slide guarding and working within the park's food and beverage stalls.

With five seasons at Splash Planet, Peran Hutchings knows a thing or two about what type of staff are required. He says by taking a chance on people who've "had a rough start to life like many LSV's", gives him "a real buzz, seeing them take pride in themselves and go on to better things". He recommends other employers take advantage of the Limited Service Volunteer programme, because "young people in work benefits the whole community".

There are 1,500 LSV places per year (this new funding will provide 5,250 places from the beginning of 2012 to the end of the 2014/15 financial year) across all three LSV locations – Hobsonville, Trentham and Burnham.

If you have any questions about Limited Service Volunteers or want to find out whether your job opportunity meets the criteria email us at [email protected] or, contact Employer Line on 0800 778 008.