Makita guys… this ad is NOT for you.
We run Milwaukee here, and we expect the same high level of quality in our installations.
Relax… we’re joking (kind of) 😏
All jokes aside, SmartGrass is leading a new trade in New Zealand:
High-end artificial grass & sports court installations.
It’s part landscaping, part flooring, part joinery, part civil — and part being a good bugger that clients and teammates enjoy working with.
If you’re great on the tools, but feel like you’ve been doing the same thing for years, this might be the change you didn’t know you were open to.
BUT before you read any further…
This won’t be your thing if you:
Are allergic to fresh air
Get stressed easily
Cut corners
Are looking for an office job or a hands-off role telling people what to do
This will be your thing if you:
Like work where the results speak for themselves
Care about quality and clean finishes
Enjoy staying fit through physical work
Are professional, but a work-socks-and-steel-caps kind of guy
Like finishing most days thinking, “That’s something I’m proud to put my name on.”
Then keep reading.
We’re hiring for THREE roles
Installation Manager
Installation Specialist
Sports Court Installer
We usually work in teams of two — an Installation Manager and an Installation Specialist.
So… what is the work?
Artificial grass installation is far more technical than people expect. You’ll be involved in:
Excavating ordinary lawns
Preparing bases using AP20 and installing edging
Working with drainage
Cutting, shaping, and joining materials precisely
Finishing to a high standard clients notice immediately
Other landscaping work to ensure the job looks amazing
Projects range from high-end residential backyards to schools and preschools, gyms, sports courts, golf putting greens and driving ranges — plus plenty of other interesting builds. No two jobs look the same, and the before-and-after is always satisfying.
Installation Manager
This is a working foreman role. You’ll be:
Running the job onsite
Keeping Phil back at the office up to date
Setting the standard
Managing the client experience
If you’ve led small crews, run your own jobs, or naturally take charge on site, you’ll feel right at home.
Company vehicle included.
Installation Specialist
You’re hands-on from day one. You’ll:
Prepare bases and move material
Cut, join, and install turf systems
Support the Installation Manager
Learn a specialised trade quickly
If you’ve got trade or DIY ability, practical instincts, and a solid work ethic — we’ll teach you the rest.
Sports Court Installer
You’re all of the above, plus:
Often called a perfectionist
More into turf laying, less into the civils
Patient with longer jobs (often several weeks)
Open to travelling for work — Mangawhai to Milton and everywhere in between
Where our team comes from
Many of our best people didn’t come from turf. They came from landscaping, automotive, flooring, engineering, operations — and yes, even straight out of school.
What they all have in common:
Pride in their work
Common sense
Great people skills
A liking for speed, noise, and hobbies that make their mums nervous
The perks
Great pay
Switched-on teammates
Varied projects across NZ
Outdoor, physical work
Occasional away work
Proper tools and equipment provided (yes, Milwaukee 😉)
A fast-growing company serious about quality and customer experience
Installation Managers also get a company vehicle, fuel card, and leadership responsibility — without being stuck off the tools.
One last thing…
Some of our best hires weren’t job hunting. They liked their current role and applied after a mate sent them this ad saying, “this sounds like you.”
So apply now — or send this to the good bugger who should.
You know the drill.