Most of the backpackers prefer to look for seasonal jobs in New Zealand to fund their travel expenses. Basically, the job prospect does not require you to have any qualification and not giving a long time commitment.
A lot of working holiday maker will want to work for seasonal jobs in New Zealand because they can extend their visa for another 3 months.
Bonus: Work in horticulture and viticulture industry for 3 months to extend your working holiday visa.
Here is the list of seasonal jobs in New Zealand and locations you can look for:
Summer (Dec-Feb)
Summer is the peak season for travellers coming to the country. The daylight is long and the weather is sunny. Besides, the seasonal job is available, jobs under hospitality field also in high demand.
The most popular seasonal job during this season is at the Central Otago, South Island. It is the cherry season where most of the backpackers will rush down and look for a job. It is very competitive, whereas there are still got other job available across the country.
Cherry Picking & Packing – Cromwell, Alexandra, Roxburgh
Apricot Picking & Packing – Cromwell, Alexandra, Roxburgh
Apple Thinning – Nelson, Motueka, Napier, Hastings
Vineyard Thinning – Blenheim, Napier, Hastings, Gisborne, Martinborough
Kiwifruit Flower Picking – Motueka, Te Puke, Tauranga, Opotiki
Mandarin Thinning – Warkworth, Kerikeri
Strawberry Picking & Packing – Albany, Warkworth
Blueberry/Raspberry Picking & Packing – Hamilton, Hastings, Nelson, Motueka
Autumn (Mar-May)
This is the peak season for picking and packing in horticulture and viticulture industry. Casual/Seasonal workers are in high demand at this period to work in the packhouse and orchard.
Many orchards and packing houses are hiring backpackers for this harvesting season. The wages are either paid by hourly or by bin depending which orchard you are in. Some people can get a lot of saving from it when they are fast.
Apple Picking & Packing – Nelson, Motueka, Napier, Hastings
Kiwifruit Picking & Packing – Motueka, Te Puke, Tauranga, Opotiki
Avocados Packing – Te Puke, Tauranga, Opotiki
Pear Picking & Packing – Motueka, Nelson
Blueberry/Raspberry Picking & Packing – Hamilton, Hastings, Nelson, Motueka
Vineyard Picking – Blenheim, Napier, Hastings, Gisborne, Martinborough
Mandarin Picking – Warkworth, Kerikeri
Winter (June-Aug)
Winter is here, the snow and the cold weather makes the backpacker unwilling to work outdoor. If you are desperate and able work under the extreme weather, there are some job available for you. Meanwhile, you can work at the ski field when the ski season start (you need to apply early, approximately start the application on March).
Ski field consider seasonal job because it only open during winter time. Maybe few weeks early or later of the winter depending on the snow on the mountain. However, you can’t get any extension for working in the ski field.
Some packing house offer repacking for the remaining fruits. Depending on the weather, the fruit might mature later than the actual season. Then, it is an opportunity for all the backpackers to work indoor. Meanwhile, in the orchard sometimes do need some help for cleaning and cutting of the trees.
Mandarin Picking – Warkworth, Kerikeri
Vineyard Pruning – Blenheim, Napier, Hastings, Gisborne, Martinborough
Kiwifruit Pruning & Repacking – Motueka, Te Puke, Tauranga, Opotiki
Apple Pruning – Nelson, Motueka, Napier, Hastings
Lily Bulbs Processing – Rakaia
Ski Field – Mt Ruapehu, Queenstown, Wanaka
Spring (Sept-Nov)
This season is recognised to have the least job opportunity because, after the cold, everything needs some time to grow and recover. Don’t get discouraged easily, the competition level on this season is low, once you get to see the vacancy just grab it.
Strawberry Picking & Packing – Albany, Warkworth
Blueberry Raspberry Picking & Packing – Hamilton, Hastings
Kiwifruit Thinning – Motueka, Te Puke, Tauranga, Opotiki
Apple Thinning – Nelson, Motueka, Napier, Hastings
Vineyard Pruning – Blenheim, Napier, Hastings, Gisborne, Martinborough
Asparagus Picking – Tauranga, Hamilton
Overall, there will be plenty of job opportunities out there no matter what season you be in New Zealand. You just need to find a way and not be choosy. You might have the chance to work double work or shift too.
You can refer to these sites to find seasonal work:
