Packhouse jobs in New Zealand: kiwifruit, apple and cherry packing seasons

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What happens in a packhouse?

Fruit arrives from orchards in bins and runs along automated grading lines. Seasonal staff remove defective fruit, place fruit into trays or cartons by size, label boxes, stack pallets and keep the coolstores supplied around the clock.

Other roles cover bin receival, forklift driving, quality control against export market standards and line cleaning. The work is done standing, at a steady pace, in cool and noisy buildings where hearing protection is often required.

Main packing regions

Kiwifruit packhouses are concentrated in the Bay of Plenty around Te Puke and Tauranga. Apples and pears are packed in Hawke's Bay and the Nelson region, while cherries and stonefruit pass through packhouses in Central Otago.

Large kiwifruit packhouses can employ hundreds of seasonal staff on several shifts, while smaller orchard-based sheds in Nelson or Central Otago run tighter teams where workers rotate between grading, packing and coolstore tasks.

Packing calendar

Cherries are packed from December to January, apples and pears from February to May, and kiwifruit from March to June. Thanks to coolstores, kiwifruit and apple packing often continues well after harvest, into the southern spring.

Chaining seasons together

A mobile worker can start with Central Otago cherries in December, move to Hawke's Bay apples in February, then join the Bay of Plenty kiwifruit season in April, adding up to around six months of packhouse work.

Who can work in a packhouse?

New Zealand citizens and residents, and Australians, work freely. International candidates usually rely on the Working Holiday visa, most often open to ages 18 to 30 and up to 35 for some nationalities, under terms set by Immigration New Zealand.

Workers need an IRD tax number to avoid a higher tax rate, a local bank account and health insurance covering their stay. Identity documents and proof of work rights are checked when hiring.

Pacific workers under RSE

The Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme lets approved horticulture employers recruit in the Pacific within a cap of 20,750 places and stays of seven months in any eleven. These workers may be placed in orchards or in their employer's packhouses.

Forklift driving

Forklift operators in New Zealand need a specific endorsement on their licence to drive on roads, and employers almost always require certified training. Experienced forklift drivers are among the most sought-after seasonal staff in every region.

Quality controllers check fruit against the specifications of each export market, from size and colour to pressure and dry matter. These roles suit candidates with an eye for detail and often lead to return offers for the following season.

Pay and hours

Since 1 April 2026, the adult minimum wage has been NZD 23.95 an hour before tax, and the starting-out rate NZD 19.16. Packhouses pay hourly, often slightly above the minimum to retain reliable staff through the season.

At peak, shifts last ten to twelve hours, with day and night crews and weekend work. On short contracts, holiday pay is often added as 8 per cent of each pay instead of paid leave.

Housing and transport

Some packhouses offer seasonal accommodation, especially in Central Otago where job ads mention accommodation facility managers. Elsewhere, workers look for hostels, campgrounds or shared houses and must plan transport for night shifts.

New Zealand residents who take up at least six weeks of horticulture work of 30 hours or more a week may receive support from the NZ Seasonal Work Scheme run by Work and Income, reachable on 0800 779 009.

Steps to get a packhouse job

Packhouses recruit a few weeks before harvest begins and often run information sessions. Being available for night shifts significantly improves the chances of being hired quickly.

1. Get the Working Holiday visa and health insurance.
2. Apply for an IRD number and open a bank account.
3. Choose a region using the crop calendar.
4. Search the PickNZ job board by crop and region.
5. Apply directly to packhouses and attend information sessions.
6. Check the contract, hourly rate, shifts and 8 per cent holiday pay.
7. Keep payslips and timesheets.

Mistakes to avoid

Packhouse work is accessible, but a few preparation errors reduce earnings or make the season harder than it needs to be.

• Arriving after the season starts, when crews are full.
• Turning down night shifts, which are often first to hire.
• Working without an IRD number and paying more tax.
• Driving a forklift without training or the required endorsement.
• Forgetting warm clothing for coolstore work.

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the questions international candidates ask most often about packhouse work in New Zealand in 2026.

Is experience required?

No, most grading and packing roles need no experience, with a few hours of training on the first day. Team leader, quality control and forklift roles do require previous experience and references.

Does packhouse work pay more than picking?

Hourly pay is similar, at or slightly above the legal minimum. The main advantage of packhouse work is more regular hours, less dependent on the weather, and longer seasons thanks to cold storage.

How long does a season last?

A cherry season lasts a few weeks, apples around three to four months, and kiwifruit can extend several months beyond harvest as coolstores ship fruit gradually to export markets.

Is fluent English needed?

Basic English is enough for most line roles, as long as safety and quality instructions are understood. A stronger level is needed for supervisory, quality control and administrative positions.

Do packhouses supply equipment?

Packhouses usually supply smocks, gloves and earplugs and enforce strict hygiene rules. Closed shoes and warm clothing for coolstores are normally the worker's responsibility, so pack them before arriving.