From late spring to early summer we hire casual contract staff for fruit thinning, picking and packing jobs.

Fruit Thinning Jobs

Fruit thinning goes from late October to early December. Thinning is the removal of juvenile fruit from the trees to allow the remaining fruit to size up and ripen to our required standards. This work is done by hand. Staff need to be meticulous, physically fit and able to climb ladders. If this is you then apply now.

Fruit Picking Jobs

Fruit picking is demanding physical work where you wear a harness with your stone fruit picking basket (10 kgs) or cherry bucket (5 kgs) whilst climbing up and down ladders. You will be given training on the skills needed to pick fruit at its optimum ripeness for processing. This is a critical first step in preparing the production of quality fruit for market. If this is you then apply now.

Fruit Packing Jobs

Packing requires staff to be able to stand at your workstations or sorting tables for at least 8 hours per day and up to 7 days per week in the peak of the season. High levels of concentration are required to ensure that only the best quality fruit goes to market. Quality Assurance staff will monitor output to ensure standards are maintained. If this is you then apply now.

During the peak summer season we hire three different types of workers.

Working Holiday Visa (WHV) Seasonal Workers

Working Holiday Visa workers work outside in the orchard and indoors in the packhouse. WHV holders wishing to apply for work must have a current visa a New Zealand bank account and Inland Revenue Department (IRD) tax number.

Kiwi Casual Contract Workers

Kiwi workers usually come from the communities of Alexandra and Clyde but we regularly have university students that spend their summer break with us.

Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Seasonal Workers

Every season the New Zealand government approves a set number of Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Seasonal Workers that we are able to employ. The RSE team we use have been, by and large, working on our orchard for many years returning year after year to spend the season with us. The RSE names and numbers are fixed and we are unable to change these once agreed with the government.

Accommodation

We have some worker accommodation available on the orchard. Accommodation options available are huts, self-contained vehicles (campervans, RV’s and caravans) and tent sites. Everyone has access to kitchens and an ablutions block for toilets, showers and laundry.

All of our accommodation is booked on a first-come-first-served basis. It is advisable to book early if you want to stay on the orchard.

Transport

You will need to have your own transport as we are 7km’s from Alexandra and 8 km’s from Clyde.

Pay

Your earnings will be paid weekly on Thursdays directly into your bank account so you must have a New Zealand bank account and a New Zealand IRD tax number. You will also require an email address as your payslip will be emailed to you each week.