Are you in search of a straightforward method to establish a career and reside in New Zealand? Fruit picking and packing positions, particularly citrus harvesting, are among the most accessible employment opportunities for foreign people. These positions are available to individuals of all nationalities, regardless of gender, and do not necessitate any prior experience or qualifications.
Key Points:
- Job title: Citrus Packer.
- Job Region: New Zealand.
- No. of hiring: 25 F/M
- Knowledge required: Not specified
- Minimum Experience: Not needed
- Free visa: Yes
- Free ticket: Yes
- Free medical insurance: Yes
- Free food: No
- Free Accommodation: Depends upon the employer
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Maximum age: Not specified
- Expected salary: NZD $21.6 per hour plus overtime
Why Choose Citrus Picking Jobs in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, citrus fruits, including oranges, are harvested over an extended season that spans eight months of the year: September, October, November, December, January, February, March, and April.
Although technically classified as “seasonal,” the year-round employment opportunities are guaranteed by the continuous harvesting of various fruits and regions.
Regions such as Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury are agricultural hotspots that provide employment opportunities during their prime harvest season (April to September). It is possible to maintain a consistent workload throughout the year by transitioning to alternative fruit picking opportunities, such as the cherry season that commences in October, even when citrus harvesting begins to stall.
The fertile landscape of New Zealand yields a diverse array of fruits, such as apples, cherries, oranges, avocados, zucchinis, and sweet potatoes, which offers hundreds of employment opportunities across numerous farms.
Requirements for Citrus Picking jobs:
As per the job ad, job requirements are easy and straightforward:
- There are no requirements for minimum qualifications. Applications are open to individuals who have completed high school, a degree, or a diploma.
- No prior experience is required.
- Documents that provide support, such as a CV, job sponsor letter, and police clearance certificate, are included.
- A valid work visa, seasonal worker visa, working holiday visa, international student visa, or similar visa.
- All nationalities are eligible to submit an application.
Check Also: Vegetable Farm Tractor Jobs in New Zealand – Visa Sponsorship
Benefits of Job:
- Legal Employment with Visa Sponsorship: Visa-supported programs, such as the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, are implemented by numerous citrus plantations in New Zealand. These programs provide international pickers with legal, contract-based employment.
- Citrus pickers can earn NZD 23–30 per hour, with some farms offering piece-rate incentives for high productivity during peak harvest seasons. This is a steady income that can be achieved through hourly or piece-rate pay.
- No Prior Experience or Education Is Required: These positions are suitable for foreign nationals who lack professional experience or qualifications and are entry-level.
- Free or Subsidized Accommodation: Numerous employers offer on-site housing or subsidized accommodations, which reduces living expenses and guarantees nearness to work sites.
- Healthy Outdoor Work Environment: Citrus picking is a profession that entails working in open, fresh-air environments, which can enhance physical health and mental well-being while avoiding the tension of indoor labor.
- Seasonal Employment with Visa Validity: Citrus harvesting positions typically last for six to seven months, providing an opportunity to earn, travel, and explore New Zealand either during or after the work period.
- Meal and Transportation Assistance: Certain farms provide free transportation to the orchard and group culinary facilities or low-cost meals for their employees, thereby promoting an affordable lifestyle.
- Fast Hiring and Simple Job Process: These positions typically feature a streamlined recruitment process and a rapid application turnover, enabling you to commence work without the need for lengthy delays or intricate assessments.
- RSE Work Rights and Protections: Official schemes provide workers with labor protections, minimum wage guarantees, access to support services, and appropriate housing standards.
- Multinational Work Environment: This environment is culturally enriching and socially engaging, as you will collaborate with individuals from a variety of countries.
- Potential for Contract Renewal or Return Invitations: Numerous citrus pickers are extended invitations to return for subsequent seasons, which fosters a sense of familiarity with the position and the possibility of repeated employment.
- Pathway to Additional Agricultural Jobs: Following a citrus harvesting contract, you may be eligible for other seasonal positions, such as packhouse work, grapes, apples, or kiwifruit, which could extend your stay.
- Fair Wages and Timely Payments: Strict labor laws are enforced in New Zealand to guarantee that even foreign seasonal laborers are paid in a fair and timely manner.
- Discover the Charm of New Zealand’s Regions: Citrus plantations are frequently situated in picturesque regions such as Northland, Gisborne, or Hawke’s Bay, providing employees with the opportunity to appreciate rural landscapes and weekend escapes.
- Contributing to the production: of food brings a sense of pride in being a part of New Zealand’s sustainable agricultural industry and assisting in the production of healthy, export-quality fruits.
Average Salary:
Fruit growers are compensated in two ways, contingent upon the employer: on an hourly basis or based on the quantity of fruits they have harvested. Additionally, they are compensated in accordance with their location, experience, duty schedule, employer’s requirements, and payment scale.
The minimum hourly wage for a Citrus Picker in New Zealand is NZD $21.6, as per the Standard wage rate for casual agricultural work. Nevertheless, if your organization compensates you based on the quantity of citrus fruits you select, operating with enthusiasm results in a higher salary.
Extend Your Stay: Working Holiday Visa Opportunity
Another common visa option for obtaining a citrus picking (or any fruit picking or harvesting) job is to work on a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa. This visa allows many backpackers to do fruit picking jobs as a way of funding their trip, while also enjoying the stunningly beautiful landscapes and farms of New Zealand.
In addition to a work visa, this visa is quite common. Seasonal workers who are employed on a working holiday visa have the opportunity to extend their visa for the following year in order to engage in seasonal employment in regional New Zealand. Consequently, seasonal employment enables you to remain in the area and earn a modest increase in income. Nevertheless, the New Zealand Government enforces certain rules and regulations, such as the requirement that seasonal work be a minimum of three months in duration and the use of a technical and stringent definition of regional New Zealand.
How to apply for Citrus Picking Jobs in New Zealand with Visa Sponsorship?
To apply, you may establish an account on any online employment search website (SEEK.com.nz is the most well-known), log in, and submit your CV. To apply for this job ad directly on the ad website, select the link below:
More Visa-sponsored Harvesting Jobs in New Zealand:
To locate additional picking, packaging, and harvesting positions in Australia that offer visa sponsorship, please click here:
Conclusion:
New Zealand’s citrus picking jobs provide an exceptional opportunity for individuals to acquire international work experience, earn a competitive wage, and discover the country’s natural attractiveness. These roles are ideal for students, seasonal laborers, and individuals seeking a fresh start abroad, as they do not require any formal qualifications or experience. Additionally, visa sponsorship is available.
You can secure consistent employment throughout the year due to the extended harvesting seasons, diverse fruit-picking opportunities, and the ability to relocate between regions. These positions offer the opportunity to engage in a cultural experience that is truly one-of-a-kind, in addition to financial compensation, regardless of whether you are applying for a Seasonal Work Visa or utilizing a Working Holiday Visa.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are citrus picking jobs in New Zealand like?
Citrus picking jobs involve harvesting oranges, lemons, and mandarins by hand. Work is seasonal, outdoors, physically demanding, and often located in regions like Northland, Gisborne, and Bay of Plenty.
When is the best time for citrus picking work?
The citrus picking season typically runs from May to September. This is when orchards require the most workers, with peak demand during the middle of the season for harvesting and packing fruit.
Do I need experience for citrus-picking jobs?
No experience is required, but physical fitness helps. Employers usually provide training on the job. A valid work visa and willingness to work in rural areas are typically necessary.