A Trekker Travel Guide to the most commonly asked questions about kiwi picking jobs in New Zealand!
New Zealand’s kiwi picking season is a busy and exciting time for backpackers and agricultural workers alike. With its lush green orchards and vibrant fruit, kiwi picking is a unique and rewarding experience that allows you to connect with nature and earn a living.
But before you start your kiwi-picking journey, it’s essential to know what to expect and how to prepare.
In this post, we’ll delve into the world of kiwifruit jobs, exploring the best locations, types of kiwifruit, and tips for a successful and enjoyable experience!
What is kiwi picking?
Kiwi picking is a seasonal agricultural job that involves hand-picking kiwifruit from vines in commercial orchards. Kiwi pickers typically work selecting ripe fruit, removing it from the vine, and placing it into containers or bags for further processing. There are several varieties of kiwifruit in New Zealand, the main varieties include:
Hayward – The most widely cultivated and exported variety, is known for its brown, fuzzy skin and bright green flesh.
Zespri SunGold – A sweet and tangy variety with smooth, hairless skin and golden-yellow flesh.
Zespri Sweet Red – A variety with reddish-pink flesh and a sweeter taste.
New Zealand is the world’s largest producer of kiwifruit, with the majority coming from, The Bay of Plenty which is the largest kiwifruit-producing region in New Zealand, with many orchards around Tauranga, Te Puke, and Katikati.
Hawke’s Bay, is also a significant kiwifruit-producing region, with orchards around Napier, Hastings, and Havelock North.
Northland, is a smaller but still significant kiwifruit-producing region, with many orchards around Whangarei, Kerikeri, and Kaitaia.
Nelson, is a region known for its high-quality kiwifruit, with orchards around Nelson, Motueka, and Takaka, and Otago, a smaller kiwifruit-producing region, with orchards around Dunedin, Alexandra, and Cromwell.
These regions offer a range of kiwi-picking jobs, from small, family-owned orchards to large commercial operations.
Where do I find kiwi picking jobs and how do I contact orchards?
During the kiwi picking season, roles are primarily available throughout the Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay regions. The kiwi picking season begins in March and is usually over by mid-June. The orchard work seasons for kiwi fruits are:
Picking – From mid-March through to mid-June
Winter pruning – From June until October
Thinning – From October until April
Summer pruning – From November until February
Employers usually start advertising for picking jobs in early February and continue advertising roles until early June. Listings for kiwifruit picking jobs can be found on our website www.trekkertravel.co.nz under fruit picking or for higher demand roles, on The Kai Way our dedicated agriculture and horticulture job board.
What should I bring?
Employers generally provide any personal protective equipment you will need, but pickers should ensure they have sturdy shoes or work boots that are comfortable and waterproof with good grip. Clothing should be breathable and nonrestrictive.
It’s advisable to bring a hat, sunglasses, water bottle, insect repellent, and decent sun protection. Some employers may provide gloves or suggest you provide your own, but this is dependent on the type of kiwifruit you are picking. Green kiwi is covered in fine hairs that can irritate the hands, however, softer fruits sometimes require picking without gloves as they bruise easily. It is advisable to bring a portable phone charger with you as access to charging may be limited at the orchard location.
Remember to bring your documents. Many employers throughout New Zealand will use the Immigration New Zealand Visaview visa-checking platform to ensure an employee’s right to work in New Zealand before you commence a role. To access this, employers may request to view your passport which you should have available at all times in a safe place. Before starting a role, you will need to know your tax code and IRD Number or have applied for it through IRD New Zealand.
Remember to check with the orchard or your employer for specific requirements or recommendations on additional items you may need to bring with you.
What are the physical requirements of kiwi-picking?
Kiwis are grown on overhead canopies that support the vines and picking is done by hand. You do not need to climb ladders to pick the fruit but will be reaching overhead to pick them. If you are above average height, kiwi-picking can be hard, especially if the vine height is less than your own which will result in you having to crouch to pick. Picking is labor-intensive work and involves carrying a picking bag that can weigh up to 20kg and staying on your feet for most of the shift.
Is it fun and can you apply with friends?
Kiwi picking is a great social job that requires teamwork. Pickers enjoy working in teams with multiple coworkers and making life-long friends along the way. Depending on the type of arrangement the orchard has recruited you on, you may earn by the bin, which requires everyone working together or in pairs to fill the bin as quickly as possible. Backpackers enjoy listening to music, meeting new people, and enjoying working under the Kiwi sun!
What is kiwifruit packing?
Packing refers to the job of processing and packing harvested kiwi fruit and takes place in packhouses. Jobs within packhouses include sorting and grading roles, tray packing, and machinery operation. Like picking roles, packhouse roles often involve standing while working which should be a consideration before applying.
How much will you get paid as a kiwifruit picker or packer?
Pay rates vary depending on the employer and the type of role you undertake. All workers must receive the minimum wage + 8% holiday pay, you can find out the current minimum wage at the time of application by visiting employment.govt.nz. The pay rate you receive may be based on hourly pay or a piece rate (a rate based on how much crop you pick and bins you fill.) The type of rate is often dependent on the type of fruit you are picking. If you are picking green kiwi fruit you will be picking faster this means a piece rate might be a more suitable option. If you are picking gold varieties of kiwi fruit that require more delicate handling you are more likely to be paid on an hourly rate.
It’s important to remember that most orchards do not permit picking in the rain, this is due to the risk of spreading fungal infections causing rot on the fruit and damage to the harvest for the following years. Keeping an eye on the forecast on the days prior to your shifts can help you to optimise your time and productivity on shorter days.
Accommodation and travel when working on Kiwi orchards:
Accommodation can become limited quickly during kiwi season in the primary picking locations. It is advisable to book your accommodation in advance of commencing a role. Many pickers will stay at local backpacker hostels and working hostels, sometimes there may be accommodation attached to packhouses that is available for workers to stay in at a lesser fee.
Many orchards offer a van service or carpooling arrangements to and from local accommodations, but make sure you enquire about this before taking on a role if you do not have access to your own transport.
What questions should you ask a potential employer before starting?
Before commencing a role, you should confirm:
- If the employer is an approved contractor (You can search this information online through NZKGI’s website, a grower advocacy body for New Zealand’s kiwifruit Growers)
- If the role is a piece rate or hourly wage
- What you may be required to bring
- If transport and or accommodation is provided and if it is, what costs may you incur if you use these facilities
- What the rain policy is for picking
- What type of kiwifruit you will be picking
New Zealand’s kiwi picking season is an experience you won’t soon forget. So pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and get ready to immerse yourself in the ultimate kiwi adventure!
To view the most current live kiwifruit picking and packing jobs, jump over to our job board and search ‘fruit picking’ or take a look at featured roles on The Kai Way Job Board – https://trekkertravel.co.nz/the-kai-way/
Happy picking!
