What are Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand? Which one to choose
Traveling across New Zealand is an experience in itself. And when you can work a seasonal job while traveling, it can add to the experience. In New Zealand, working travelers can try out fruit picking, farming, and similar jobs for a unique travel experience.
Seasonal work is popular in New Zealand due to the scenic lifestyle, flexible opportunities, and Working Holiday Visas. This is also the reason why New Zealand offers working holiday visas to citizens of select countries. By opting for this, travelers can enjoy roles like fruit picking, farming, and tourism while traveling through New Zealand.
If you are a backpacker, student, or working holidaymaker, keep reading to find out more about the seasonal jobs in New Zealand.
Why Seasonal Jobs Are Popular in New Zealand
New Zealand’s working visa options allow people to travel, work, and study at the same time. These people are looking for flexible, short-term job opportunities that are easily available in the hospitality, tourism, and agriculture sectors.
The reasons why seasonal jobs for working travelers have grown in popularity are due to:
- High demand in the agricultural and tourism sectors.
- Chance to explore the country while earning.
- Cultural exchange and meeting new people.
- Short-term contracts keep you flexible for traveling to your next destination.
- Affordable accommodation is usually available with the employers.
- The range of jobs gives people unique experiences and skills, prepping them for future employment.
Fruit Picking and Harvesting Roles
New Zealand grows a variety of fruits, due to which farm jobs are widely available in the harvest season. Hawke’s Bay, Bay of Plenty, and Nelson and Tasman are some of the major areas where farming jobs in New Zealand have high availability. The most common crops include apples, kiwifruit, grapes, and cherries.
The typical work season is October to April, though some like apples and avocados are harvested in May and June. Usually, the pay structure is either hourly or per-bin rates, depending on the product and the farm. While the outdoor job is a great opportunity for people, it also demands physical fitness.
If you are planning to work as a fruit picker for farming jobs in New Zealand, here’s how the harvest season follows:
| Fruit | Northland | Auckland and Waikato | Bay of Plenty | Hawke’s Bay | Nelson and Tasman | Otago and Central Otago |
| Apples | Feb – May | Feb – May | Feb – May | Feb – May | Mar – May | Mar – May |
| Kiwifruit | Apr – Jun | Apr – Jun | Apr – Jun | Apr – Jun | Apr – Jun | Apr – Jun |
| Cherries | – | – | – | Dec – Jan | Dec – Jan | Dec – Jan |
| Grapes | Feb – Apr | Feb – Apr | Feb – Apr | Feb – Apr | Mar – Apr | Mar – Apr |
| Avocados | Aug – Mar | Aug – Mar | Sep – Mar | Sep – Feb | Sep – Jan | – |
| Stonefruit | Dec – Feb | Dec – Feb | Dec – Feb | Dec – Feb | Dec – Feb | Dec – Feb |
| Pears | Feb – Apr | Feb – Apr | Feb – Apr | Feb – Apr | Feb – Apr | Feb – Apr |
| Berries | Nov – Feb | Nov – Feb | Nov – Feb | Nov – Feb | Dec – Feb | Dec – Feb |
| Citrus | May – Oct | May – Oct | May – Oct | May – Oct | May – Sep | – |
Table 1: Harvest seasons for fruits in New Zealand.
Farming and Agricultural Jobs
Alongside harvesting fruits, people can get other farm jobs like dairy farming and livestock roles. They may also seek general farm labor and maintenance work during the lean seasons.
Some farms offer seasonal contracts to traveling workers during peak seasons. While formal training is not necessary for farm jobs, you need to be willing to work hard, adaptable, responsible, willing to learn, and good with animals. Being able to work well under pressure and as part of a team is always an added plus.
Additionally, accommodations are often included in rural roles, which is usually helpful for travelers.
Tourism and Hospitality Jobs
Ski resorts in Queenstown and Wanaka (winter) hire seasonal workers during peak seasons. Thus, many working travelers find hospitality jobs in hotels, restaurants, and lodges. You may also seek adventure tourism jobs, such as guides, customer service, and activity assistants.
Seasonal jobs in New Zealand for tourists in summer vs. winter include:
| Category | Summer Jobs (Dec – Feb) | Winter Jobs (Jun – Aug) |
| Hospitality and Food | Café and restaurant staff, beachside bars, vineyard workers | Ski resort cafes, mountain lodges, and après-ski dining staff |
| Outdoor Adventure | Surf instructors, kayak guides, hiking/trekking guides, bungee operators | Ski and snowboard instructors, snow guides, heli-ski support |
| Tourism and Attractions | Tour guides for Lord of the Rings sites, boat cruises (Milford Sound, Bay of Islands), wildlife tours | Ski resort staff, lift operators, alpine shuttle drivers |
| Agriculture and Farm Work | Fruit picking (cherries, stonefruit, berries), vineyard pruning, and harvest | Limited; pruning in vineyards/orchards in some regions |
|
Events and Festivals |
Music and cultural festivals, food and wine events, and summer sports tournaments | Winter festivals (Queenstown Winter Festival), alpine sports events |
| Accommodation | Campsites, backpacker hostels, summer resorts | Ski lodges, alpine hotels, mountain cabins |
| Transport | Seasonal bus/coach drivers for summer tours, rental car services | Shuttle services to ski fields, snow gear transport |
Table 2: Jobs that tourists can work in during summer and winter.
Visa and Work Permit Requirements
Citizens of approximately 45 countries can apply for the working holiday visa to New Zealand. Usually, these visas are valid for up to 12 months, with exceptions being Canada (23 months) and the UK (36 months).
By opting for a working holiday visa, you can enjoy the following:
- Stay for a longer period
- Avail employment immediately
- Cross New Zealand’s borders as many times as you wish in the validity period.
To be eligible, you need to be over 18 years of age and max 30 (35 for certain countries). You will also need a valid passport from an eligible country to apply. Further, specific norms are set for the visas of each country regarding:
- The age of application
- Duration of stay
- Money that you can carry
- Other specifics
With a working holiday visa, you can work, study, or undertake a training course. Students may complete one or more educational courses, which last 6 months (for example, a Study Abroad Program).
To apply for the visa, you will need to produce a valid return ticket or show that you have the means to pay for one. Also, the primary purpose of your visit should be a holiday, work or education being secondary.
Additionally, the working holiday visa can be extended if required. Those who have a 12-month visa from Canada or the UK can extend it for the full period. Also, if you have been working in horticulture and viticulture for the past 3 months, your visa can be extended to cover another 3 months of stay.
Tips for Seasonal Job Seekers in New Zealand
To work in one of the seasonal jobs in New Zealand, the following tips can be helpful:
- Know the best times to apply for a job in each sector.
- If you are applying for a job in the peak season, an early application can be helpful.
- Pack the right clothes and shoes if you plan to work in outdoor or farm roles.
- Match the job times with your travel plans.
- Know the importance of networking and word-of-mouth for job hunting.
- Do remember to balance work and travel when visiting different regions.
- Look through the New Zealand government’s official career website for leads regarding jobs.
- Make the most out of specialized job boards like Backpackerboard.
- Be flexible regarding the type of jobs you want to work in.
- Remember to check the visa eligibility and requirements for the specific job.
Enjoy a Seasonal Job in New Zealand
Seasonal jobs in NZ offer flexible income, cultural experiences, and travel opportunities. With the right visa and preparation, working in New Zealand can be rewarding both financially and personally.
Thinking of traveling and working in New Zealand? Explore seasonal job opportunities today and make the most of your working holiday adventure.