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There is plenty of seasonal work in New Zealand if you know where to look. First of all you will need a work permit which must be obtained from a New Zealand consulate or embassy BEFORE entering the country. For residents of the UK, Japan, and Canada the process is quite straight forward as New Zealand has reciprocal agreements with these countries. For other European countries and the United States, things are a little stricter and it may be necessary to prove you have a sufficient amount of money before a work permit is granted. Citizens of Australia need no visa to work in New Zealand.
There is always the option of trying to find work without a permit but this may prove difficult as many employers demand to site a work visa before hiring. If you are caught you will be deported and re-entry to New Zealand is then forbidden.
Once in New Zealand you will need to pay a visit to the Inland Revenue office to apply for a tax or IRD number. You will need to give this to your employer before commencing work. When you leave New Zealand you may be able to reclaim any tax you have paid so remember to keep hold of all your payslips.
Every year about 40,000 seasonal jobs become available. 30,000 are in the horticulture industry cultivating and harvesting fruit and vegetables. The other 10,000 are mostly in the tourism field and a few others in shearing New Zealand's 30 million sheep.
For horticulture related jobs the areas which have the greatest demand for seasonal workers are Northland and the Hawkes Bay in the North Island, and Nelson Bays and Central Otago in the South Island. These districts are where nearly all New Zealand's apples, pears, kiwifruit, berries and stonefruit are grown due to their climates.
The best places to start looking for job vacancies are the noticeboards in the offices of the NEW ZEALAND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE. In Northland head to Keri Keri, in the Hawkes Bay head to the cities of Napier and Hastings, in the Nelson Bays region head to Nelson or Motueka and in Central Otago head to Alexandria. These towns are centres of their respective areas, their populations swelling considerably during harvesting season.
Local newspapers are also a good source to find vacancies. Excellent sources of information are the backpacker establishments. Many seasonal workers pass through these places and the managers and staff are usually very knowledgable about local employment opportunities.
NORTHLAND:
The kiwifruit harvest begins in late April and continues into early June. About 600 seasonal workers are needed so chances of finding work are good. Nearly all the orchards surround the town of Keri Keri which is a beautiful spot in the Bay of Islands. If picking is too rigorous for you don't despair as there are also plenty of jobs available in the numerous packing sheds. A small amount of stone fruit, citrus, and vegetables are also grown in the area which need a few seasonal workers to help with the harvest.
HAWKES BAY:
Known as the pipfruit capital of New Zealand due to the huge apple crop grown here every year. Most orchards are clustered around the cities of Napier and Hastings. The apple picking season runs from mid February until early May. From June til the end of August many workers are needed for pruning and from late November until early January for thinning. Many orchards offer accomodation for about $25 a week in simple baches. The large kiwifruit harvest follows on from the apples.
NELSON:
This beautiful area also needs huge numbers of seasonal workers to bring in the apple and kiwifruit harvest. The picking, pruning and thinning seasons are the same as the Hawkes Bay. Lots of work is also available picking raspberries and harvesting hops to make kiwi beer. As in the Hawkes Bay most orchards offer cheap accomodation to their workers.
CENTRAL OTAGO:
This area produces most of New Zealand's apricots, nectarines, and also an increasing amount of apples and pears. Apricots, nectarines, plums, and peaches are harvested from early January til early April. Apples and pears from late February until mid May.
JOBS IN TOURISM:
Most of these positions are concentrated around Queenstown and Wanaka in the South Island and are related to the skiing industry but there is demand for workers all year, especially the winter and summer seasons, which are from June til October and from December til march. Other resort towns where jobs are available are Rotorua, Taupo, Mt Maunganui and Ohakune in the North Island and Picton, Methven and Manapouri in the South Island.
With a little persistance it's not difficult to pick up seasonal work in New Zealand. Payrates are generally lower than other western countries but this is offset by the low cost of living. You may not be able to save an awful lot {although it is possible} but you will have some great experiences and have a chance to live and work with New Zealanders and young people from all over the world.
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