Seasonal Casual - Riccarton

T2 Tea is inviting a seasonal casual team member to join its Riccarton store in Christchurch, NZ. The role is onsite and fixed for the holiday period, running from 11 November 2026 until 19 January 2027 to help the team navigate the busy season.

This isn’t just retail. It’s an immersive tea experience where you’ll help guests discover blends, share stories, and connect them with the perfect brew. If you enjoy creating memorable moments for customers, this could be a straight fit for you.

The company behind T2 Tea uses premium, sustainable ingredients and invites customers into a world of tea across stores in Australia and New Zealand. T2 sits under Lipton Teas and Infusions, the world’s largest tea business, which opens doors to global programs and career growth. The brand is B Corp Certified, and its culture emphasizes training, incentives and inclusivity, with opportunities to connect to global initiatives. More about the brand is at https://www.t2tea.com.

Brewing the shift: what you’ll do each day

On the retail floor, you’ll deliver a world-class customer service experience to every guest, listening to their needs and guiding them toward teas, equipment, or accessories that suit them best. You’ll also share the stories behind different blends to help guests feel connected to their purchase.

You’ll deepen your knowledge of products along the way, becoming a tea and brewing expert who can explain flavour notes, origins, and ideal brewing methods with confidence.

Stock management and visual merchandising will be part of the rhythm, keeping shelves tidy and displays fresh to the high standards T2 sets, even during peak times.

Safety matters, too. You’ll follow T2 safety policies and procedures to look out for your own health and safety as well as that of teammates and guests.

What makes you a fit

Here’s what T2 is looking for in a candidate

• A customer-first mindset in every interaction
• Comfort with a busy and fast-moving environment
• Self-motivation and a readiness to learn
• Clear, effective communication with customers and colleagues

Nice-to-have extras that could help you stand out

• Prior customer service or retail experience
• An interest in tea and brewing, plus a willingness to learn about the range

Perks and practicals for the season

The role is a fixed-term casual position from 11 November 2026 until 19 January 2027 to cover the busy holiday period, based in Riccarton, Christchurch, NZ.

As part of the T2 team, you’ll enjoy a 50% staff discount and the chance to earn recognition through the Moment Makers program, which offers exciting prizes. Workplace policies cover gender equity, equitable remuneration and flexible working arrangement options, and there’s an Employee Assistance Program for support when needed.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. No agencies please – this role is being handled in-house. If the fit feels right, you’ll be invited to apply and start in time for the holiday rush.

Advice for applicants

Highlight the customer-facing experiences you’ve had and, if possible, show you’ve helped customers choose products or solved problems on the shop floor. Lead with examples where you put the customer first and helped them find a tea or accessory that matched their needs.

When you demonstrate the must-have skills, think of concrete moments: a busy shift where you kept shelves organized while assisting multiple guests, or a time you explained a product clearly and helped someone decide between similar options. Quantify where you can, how many people you helped during a peak period, or how you maintained visual standards under pressure.

Prepare for interviews by rehearsing stories about working in a fast-paced environment, how you learn new products quickly, and how you communicate clearly with teammates. You may be asked about safety practices on the floor, so have a couple of short notes ready about how you’d handle common safety scenarios.

One smart question to ask is about the training path for a seasonal tea expert and how T2 uses the Moment Makers program to recognize standout performance during peak times. You could also ask how they balance flexibility with the need to maintain consistent in-store service during holidays.