Seasonal jobs in New Zealand: orchards, vineyards and ski fields

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What does a season in New Zealand look like?

Horticulture and viticulture create most seasonal demand: picking, thinning, pruning, packhouse work and vineyard maintenance. Tourism, ski fields, meat processing and dairy farming add further roles, with sharp regional peaks that shift throughout the year from north to south.

Seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere. Summer, from December to February, brings cherries and tourism; autumn brings apples, kiwifruit and vintage; and winter, from June to September, means pruning in orchards and vineyards plus jobs on the ski fields.

Harvest calendar by region

The Bay of Plenty around Te Puke is the kiwifruit capital, with picking and packing from March to June. Hawke's Bay and Nelson-Tasman harvest apples from February to May, after a thinning period in November and December.

Central Otago, around Cromwell and Alexandra, recruits cherry pickers in December and January, followed by apricots. Marlborough, the country's largest wine region, harvests grapes in March and April and prunes vines through the southern winter months.

Northland grows blueberries and avocados, while Waikato, Taranaki and Southland employ dairy farm hands almost all year. Meat processing plants hire from October to May and again in July and August, mostly in Hawke's Bay, Manawatū, Canterbury and Southland.

Ski and tourism: the other main season

Ski areas around Queenstown, Wanaka, Mount Ruapehu on the Central Plateau and Canterbury operate from June to September. They hire instructors, lift operators, rental technicians, cooks and bar staff, and most recruitment closes by March or April.

Peak tourist season runs from November to February in towns such as Queenstown, Rotorua, Taupō, Te Anau and Paihia. Hotels, adventure operators, cruises and restaurants add staff for a few months, often with early, late or weekend shifts.

Who can take a seasonal job?

New Zealand and Australian citizens and residents work without restriction. Everyone else needs a visa with work rights. For a single season, the most accessible route is the Working Holiday Visa, available to citizens of around forty countries under bilateral agreements.

French citizens can apply between 18 and 30 for a twelve-month stay, while UK and Canadian citizens can apply up to 35 for a longer stay. Applicants need about NZD 4,200 in funds, an onward ticket or money to buy one, and health insurance.

The RSE scheme for Pacific workers

The Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme lets accredited growers recruit mainly from Pacific countries when New Zealanders are not available. Workers can generally stay seven months in any eleven, with employers responsible for approved accommodation, pastoral care and fair deductions.

On 28 July 2026 the government announced reforms: one-year initial accreditation, easier moves between employers, a clear list of recoverable costs and internet access in worker housing. Changes are being phased in from early 2027, with current rules applying until then.

How much do seasonal workers earn?

From 1 April 2026, the adult minimum wage is NZD 23.95 an hour before tax, up from NZD 23.50. The starting-out and training rate, which applies to some workers aged 16 to 19, is NZD 19.16 an hour.

Piece rates are common in orchards, but employers must top up pay to at least the hourly minimum. Fixed-term contracts of under twelve months can include 8% holiday pay added to each payslip instead of annual leave taken later.

Accommodation, hours and tax

Harvest days often last eight to ten hours, six days a week when weather allows. Some growers offer cabins, caravans or dormitories with rent deducted by written agreement; otherwise workers rely on hostels, campervans or shared houses nearby.

Every worker needs an IRD number to avoid the highest withholding rate. Employees also pay the ACC earners' levy for accident cover through payroll. KiwiSaver retirement savings are not available to people on temporary visas.

How to find and secure a job

Recruitment happens mostly online, through packhouses directly and by word of mouth in working hostels. The following steps help workers arrive in the right region at the right moment, without wasting weeks and savings waiting for the harvest to begin.

1. Apply online for a Working Holiday Visa through Immigration New Zealand and wait for approval.
2. Gather proof of funds, insurance and, if required, an onward travel booking.
3. Match your dates to the Work and Income seasonal calendar and the Pick NZ job board.
4. Apply several weeks before arrival, especially for cherries and ski-field jobs.
5. Get an IRD number and open a New Zealand bank account on arrival.
6. Sign a written agreement stating the hourly or piece rate, duration and accommodation.
7. Keep payslips and timesheets in case you need to raise a pay dispute later.

Budget and documents for one season

The amounts below are guide figures for planning a trip. They depend on the region, accommodation type and the real length of the harvest, which hail or heavy rain can cut short with little notice to workers.

Common traps and mistakes

Most reported abuses involve workers who accept an offer in a hurry without a contract. The following points deserve particular care, especially when a job is advertised only in messaging groups or social media posts without a verifiable company name.

• Paying to reserve a place in an orchard or accommodation that turns out not to exist.
• Working without a written agreement or IRD number, which triggers very high tax deductions.
• Accepting piece rates that fall below the hourly minimum without a top-up.
• Arriving in a region after the harvest has ended because the calendar was not checked.
• Overstaying the visa or changing activity without checking visa conditions.

Frequently asked questions

The answers below cover the questions international applicants raise most often. Immigration New Zealand and Employment New Zealand remain the reference sources and explain how the rules apply to individual situations when policies change during the year.

Can I extend a Working Holiday visa by doing farm work?

Some nationalities, including UK and Canadian citizens, already receive longer stays. For French citizens the standard stay is twelve months, and any extension depends on current policy, so it should always be checked with Immigration New Zealand before planning extra seasons.

Can a European be hired through the RSE scheme?

No. The RSE scheme mainly recruits from Pacific countries under government-to-government arrangements. A European applicant must use a Working Holiday Visa or an employer-sponsored work visa, which involves much stricter skills, salary and accreditation requirements.

When should I apply for a ski season?

Major ski areas open recruitment in February or March for a June to September season. Instructor roles usually require a recognised qualification, while hospitality, rental and maintenance jobs remain open to motivated beginners with good customer service skills.

Does the minimum wage apply to foreign workers?

Yes. Every employee in New Zealand, whatever their nationality or visa, is entitled to the minimum wage, holidays and safe working conditions. Breaches can be reported to the Labour Inspectorate, which is part of Employment New Zealand.