A large apple orchard near Gisborne, on New Zealand’s sunny East Coast, is hiring fruit pickers for the apple harvest. This is classic seasonal work for people who want to earn well over a few busy months, with the bonus of working in one of the warmest, brightest corners of the country. The apple season draws pickers from all over, so it is a popular way to travel, work, and save at the same time.
You will pick apples by hand, fill picking bags, and tip them gently into bins ready for the packhouse. The role is seasonal and full-time during harvest, with early starts and long, active days. The orchard did not list a set rate, so plan for pay around the New Zealand market average of $23.95 to $28 per hour, at or above the minimum wage, with piece-rate bonuses common once your picking speed climbs. The harvest runs for several weeks, so you can build a solid block of earnings before you move on.
Company Overview
The employer is a well-run apple grower in the Gisborne region, an area built on horticulture and blessed with long hours of sunshine. The orchard handles premium apple varieties bound for both local shelves and export markets, so quality picking matters. Expect an organised operation with experienced team leaders, clear daily targets, and a steady flow of seasonal workers who return each year for the harvest and the relaxed East Coast lifestyle. The orchard is used to hosting pickers from out of town, so the leaders are happy to point you toward local services and accommodation when they can.
Responsibilities
- Pick apples by hand at the right ripeness and size
- Handle each apple with care to avoid bruises and stem damage
- Empty picking bags into bins smoothly and steadily
- Leave damaged or unfit fruit on the tree or to one side
- Climb and move picking ladders safely between trees
- Keep up with the daily target set by your team leader
- Follow all orchard health and safety rules
- Help move full bins and tidy rows at the end of the shift
Qualifications and Requirements
- No qualifications or prior picking experience needed, since training is provided
- Strong physical fitness for ladder work and long days outdoors
- Comfort working in the sun and warm East Coast weather
- Basic English to follow safety and quality instructions
- A valid right to work in New Zealand
- Reliable transport, or willingness to arrange local accommodation
- Availability for the full apple harvest period
Benefits and Perks
- Pay around $23.95 to $28 per hour, plus piece-rate bonuses
- Full-time seasonal hours with plenty of work during harvest
- Training provided, so first-time pickers can apply
- Work in one of New Zealand’s sunniest growing regions
- A great option for travellers wanting to work and save
- Help to find local accommodation where it is available
- Return work each season for pickers who perform well
How to Apply
If a sunny apple harvest sounds like your kind of work, prepare a short CV covering any outdoor or manual jobs and the dates you can commit to. Note whether you need help finding accommodation and how you plan to get to the orchard. The team values pickers who can stay for the full harvest. Send your updated CV to the employer through the official job listing.