Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand – Jobs, Visa and Application Guide

There are many Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand available throughout New Zealand in 2027, such as in horticulture, agriculture, forestry, food processing, tourism and hospitality. Seasonal employment may be appropriate for a person seeking short-term work, temporary contracts or work when there is a greater demand for it in a particular season.

Seasonal work is available all year round but jobs and locations will vary. Seasonal work involves a range of roles and can be for a few weeks or up to six months and can be found in orchards, farms, forests and tourist areas, according to New Zealand’s official Work and Income service.

But for those not in New Zealand, finding employment is just part of the equation. You also need to ensure that your visa is valid for work, and that your employer can employ foreign workers.

Note: Immigration and visa policies may be subject to change. This article does not contain any information which could be updated or amended as of September 2026 before applying for a position in 2027 and it should be checked against Immigration New Zealand prior to applying.

What do Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand entail?

Seasonal jobs are jobs that require extra staff during specific periods of the year.

Common examples include:

1. Fruit picking
2. Fruit packing
3. Vegetable harvesting
4. Orchard work
5. Kiwifruit work
6. Apple picking
7. Grape harvesting
8. Vineyard maintenance
9. Pruning and thinning
10. Farm work
11. Dairy farm work
12. Forestry
13. Meat processing
14. Seafood processing
15. Winery work
16. Ski-field jobs
17. Tourism and hospitality
18. Seasonal retail
19. Grounds keeping and gardening

These positions are very dependent on location and season.

Seasonal jobs in New Zealand by month:

Before searching for seasonal jobs in New Zealand 2027, it is crucial to grasp the seasonal calendar.

Work and Income offers a seasonal calendar of work activities for fruit, vegetables and other agriculture activities, at the regional level. Picking, planting, weeding, pruning and other plant maintenance are among the jobs involved.

January

The month of January is summer in New Zealand and may be an active month for horticulture and tourism.

Possible work includes:

1. Fruit picking
2. Orchard work
3. Berry picking
4. Kiwifruit work
5. Stone-fruit picking
6. Vineyard work
7. Hospitality
8. Tourism
9. Hotel and resort employment

For instance, fruit work can be carried out seasonally at Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes, with cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums.

February

There are opportunities in February for:

1. Apple and pear orchards are the crops cultivated here.
2. Vineyards
3. Berry farms
4. Kiwifruit
5. Vegetable farms
6. Tourism
7. Hospitality

During the summer season there may also be seasonal demands for popular tourist attractions.

March

The month of March may be significant to:

1. Fruit picking
2. Orchard work
3. Kiwifruit
4. Avocado work
5. Citrus
6. Harvesting apples and pears.
7. Vineyard activities

Specific opportunities will vary by crop and region.

April

Fall will offer other farming activities and may provide opportunities in the following areas:

1. Orchards
2. Forestry
3. Farms
4. Food processing
5. Meat processing
6. Vineyard work
7. May

Seasonal work opportunities may include:

1. Forestry
2. Dairy-related work
3. Meat processing
4. Food processing
5. Orchard maintenance
6. Pruning

June

Examples of seasonal work in the winter include:

1. Kiwifruit pruning
2. Vineyard maintenance
3. Orchard pruning
4. Forestry
5. Ski-field jobs
6. Tourism
7. Seafood processing

The ski season is a prominent time for work-related activity.

July

August offers some potential opportunities, such as:

1. Ski resorts
2. Tourism
3. Forestry
4. Dairy
5. Orchard maintenance
6. Vineyard work
7. Food processing
8. August

During August you may need to order:

1. Lambing
2. Sheep shearing
3. Dairy work
4. Orchard work
5. Forestry
6. Ski-related employment

Work and Income classifies lambing, and shearing sheep, as work that is generally available from August to May.

Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand in September

Spring is the time when agriculture is in full swing.

Possible jobs include:

1. Orchard work
2. Kiwifruit work
3. Vineyard maintenance
4. Planting
5. Thinning
6. Farm work
7. Tourism preparation

October

October can provide opportunities in:

1. Agriculture
2. Horticulture
3. Dairy
4. Meat processing
5. Orchards
6. Vineyards
7. Hospitality

November

For many places in New Zealand, the summer tourist season commences in November.

Potential jobs include:

1. Hotels
2. Restaurants
3. Cafés
4. Tourism
5. Tour operations
6. Fruit farms
7. Orchards
8. Vineyards

Tourism work, which includes waiting tables and tour-guide jobs, is strongly linked to November-December-February in tourist centres like Taupō, Rotorua, Queenstown, Te Anau and Paihia, says Work and Income.

December

One of the important summer months for:

1. Fruit picking
2. Orchard work
3. Farm work
4. Hospitality
5. Tourism
6. Retail
7. Hotels
8. Restaurants
9. Popular seasonal work in New Zealand 2027.

1. Fruit Picking Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand

The most typical seasonal occupations in New Zealand include fruit picking.

They can find work in various occupations such as:

• Apples
• Pears
• Cherries
• Peaches
• Plums
• Nectarines
• Kiwifruit
• Avocados
• Berries
• Citrus
• Grapes

Tasks may include picking, sorting, packing and general orchard tasks.

2. Orchard Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand

Seasonal workers can be hired for orchards for the following tasks:

• Picking
• Pruning
• Thinning
• Plant maintenance
• Weeding
• Packing
• General orchard work

There are certain employment activities that involve physical fitness as workers are frequently required to stand, walk or work outside for long periods.

3. Vineyard Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand

New Zealand has an important wine industry and some of the tasks undertaken by a vineyard may require workers, including:

• Pruning
• Thinning
• Plant maintenance
• Harvesting
• Grape processing
• Winery work

Work and Income has a range of available vineyard opportunities in Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago.

4. Farm & Dairy Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand

Other seasonal agricultural activities can involve:

• Dairy farm assistant
• Calf rearer
• General farm worker
• Animal care
• Farm maintenance
• Milking-related work

In a number of agricultural areas, opportunities exist for dairy work for much of the year.

5. Forestry Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand

Forestry is another industry where seasonal jobs can be found.

Work may involve:

• Forest maintenance
• Planting
• General forestry activities
• Harvest-related work

Forestry opportunities are identified by Work and Income in Northland, Hawke’s Bay, the Central North Island, Wairarapa, Otago and Southland.

6. Jobs in Meat and Food Processing.

In addition, seasonal jobs may be available in:

• Meat processing
• Freezing works
• Food production
• Packing
• Processing facilities

October to May and July to August are months when employment in Work and Meats is strongly linked, but the specific months that jobs are available depends on the employer and the region.

7. Seafood Jobs

There may be seasonal opportunities for seafood processing, especially in some coastal areas.

The time of year when Work and Income identify fisheries and seafood work is June–September.

8. Ski Resort Jobs

Temporary jobs are created in ski resorts during the winter season in New Zealand.

Possible roles include:

• Guest services
• Café workers
• Kitchen staff
• Cleaning
• Retail
• Lift-related roles
• Resort support
• Accommodation

The months of June to September are typically synonymous with ski related jobs.

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9. Tourism and Hospitality Jobs

Tourism may provide a significant amount of seasonal jobs.

Possible jobs include:

• Hotel receptionist
• Housekeeping
• Waiter/waitress
• Kitchen assistant
• Café worker
• Tour assistant
• Tour guide
• Guest services
• Cleaning staff

Popular destinations include:

1. Queenstown
2. Rotorua
3. Taupō
4. Te Anau
5. Paihia

Tourism jobs are a key indicator of employment during November to February, according to Work and Income.

The official websites for search seasonal jobs in New Zealand:

Look for jobs online on recognised platforms, and on government platforms if you’re looking for seasonal jobs in New Zealand 2027.

1. Work and Income New Zealand

Work and Income offers details of seasonal jobs, regions, job types and seasonal calendars.

Work and Income – Job Search for Seasonal Employment

One of the best places to find official information on seasonal employment opportunities and when they’re available.

2. Work and Income – Seasonal Work Calendar

Official Seasonal Work Calendar.

Go to the calendar and check for seasonal foods by month and area.

3. Trade Me Jobs

Trade Me Jobs – NZ.

With Trade Me Jobs, candidates can find vacancies based on location, category and keywords.

5. Use a free trade to find seasonal jobs.

Seasonal jobs posted on Trade Me.Trade Me – Seasonal Job Opportunities.

This is particularly beneficial for people looking for seasonal jobs in New Zealand.

5. SEEK New Zealand

SEEK New Zealand Jobs

Use these keywords:

Seasonal
Seasonal worker
Fruit picker
Farm worker
Orchard worker
Vineyard worker
Hospitality seasonal
Summer jobs
Winter jobs

6. Careers New Zealand

Careers New Zealand

Careers New Zealand offers information on careers, job vacancies and links to vacancy sites and recruitment agencies.

7. Immigration New Zealand – Recognised Seasonal Employers

Recognised Seasonal Employers List

The official list is a useful resource for employers to check if they are approved to recruit overseas workers through the RSE scheme.