New Zealand Apples and Pears
Seasonal work
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Seasonal Work
Looking for seasonal work? There are fantastic work opportunities in the apple and pear industry around the country all year.
Find a Seasonal Job
If you’re looking for a job with apples and pears this season, there are plenty of opportunities in our five main growing areas – East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, Tasman, Canterbury, and Central Otago.
picknz.co.nz lists the latest apple and pear seasonal jobs available.
Go to picknz.co.nz
New to Seasonal Work
There are a huge range of job opportunities on orchards and packhouses. Young, old, skilled, and unskilled - there’s a job for you. All you need is enthusiasm!
A Guide to Starting Work in Horticulture
Seasonal Orchard Job Types
Forklift Operator
Forklift operators work in orchards or packhouses, loading bins of harvested fruit on and off trucks and placing them in shade houses or cool stores. Operators may also be responsible for labeling bins to ensure traceability of the fruit. A forklift license or OSH certificate is required.
Fruit Thinner
Unwanted fruit is removed from the tree by hand to let the remaining fruit grow to a good size.
- Pay: Paid by the number of trees you thin per day or per week. Piece rates indicate how hard the work is. The more difficult the work, the higher the rate.
- Timing: November and December
Harvest Quality
Quality controllers work in the orchard and are responsible for the quality of the harvested crop. Random samples are taken from each bin and checked for quality, size, color, and maturity. Quality controllers should be able to relate well to both workers and management.
Hydralada Operator
Hydraladas are elevated work platforms and a certain amount of skill is required to operate them. Hydralada operators pick fruit from the tops of the trees, usually following behind ground or ladder pickers. Operators must be able to operate machinery safely and without damaging the harvested fruit or trees. They may also be responsible for some machinery maintenance.
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Picker
Fruit pickers select the fruit off trees that meet the right size and color. Fruit is picked into buckets that are strapped to your shoulders, and then emptied into fruit bins. The work may involve the use of ladders or elevated work platforms.
- Pay: Paid by the piece (price per bin). Piece rates usually reflect how hard the work is. The more difficult the work, the higher the rate.
- Timing: February - May
Pre-harvest Crop Monitoring
Pre-harvest crop monitors visit properties to identify any pests and diseases, and assess any damage that may have been caused. This job also involves collecting and collating statistical data.
Quality Control
This position involves the collection of fruit samples and testing them for maturity to set parameters. It may involve travel between properties and a lot of walking within orchards. It also involves collating data.
Tractor Driver
Tractor drivers are responsible for bin placement and removal. They position empty bins at convenient positions for pickers and remove filled bins ready to be stacked onto trucks. Drivers must be able to operate machinery safely and without damaging the harvested fruit.
Tree Pruner
Tree branches are pruned by the use of secateurs, loppers, or electronic pruners. Methods and equipment required may vary between employers. Ladders and elevated work platforms may also be used. This is a skilled job that requires training if a worker does not have experience.
Truck Driver
Truck drivers transport fruit between orchards, packhouses, and shippers. Truck drivers must have a heavy traffic (HT) license and be able to deliver fruit safely and in good condition. Some paperwork is involved during delivery and dispatch.
Seasonal Packhouse Job Types
Clean or Shed Hand
Cleaners work in the packhouse ensuring the plant meets industry standards.
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Coolstore Personnel
Coolstore personnel work in the packhouse coolstores keeping records of stock movements. Accuracy and numeracy are required.
Data Management Clerk
Data management clerks work in the packhouse collecting and collating data either manually or by computer.
Grader
Graders sort fruit for physical defects, color, pest damage, and overall quality assurance.
Inspector
Inspectors usually work at the port of export, monitoring shipments to make sure they meet international standards. This position usually requires a MAF qualification.
Labeller
Labellers work in the packhouse labelling packed fruit for shipment. Using computer-controlled equipment, they ensure the traceability of packed fruit to market requirements.
Line Manager
Line managers ensure the quality of the line of fruit being processed complies with industry standards.
Post-harvest Quality Controller
Quality controllers are responsible for assessing the quality of the harvested crop. Random samples are taken from bins and packed boxes and checked for quality, size, color, and maturity. Quality controllers need to be able to relate well to both workers and management.
Process Factory Worker
Process factory workers work in the packhouse.
Shift Manager
Shift managers are responsible for workflow during the period of their shift. They solve workflow problems by people management and usually liaise with the line manager.
Stacker
Stackers work in the packhouse stacking packed boxes of fruit. This work involves plenty of heavy lifting, so stackers must be strong and fit.
Strappers
Strappers secure the loads (with tape or plastic wrap) according to the requirements of the shippers.
Tray Filler or Packer
Tray fillers / packers work in the packhouse, watching for defects in the fruit and making sure the packed product is presented well.
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