Fruit farm and seasonal orchard jobs in New Zealand are expected to stay in high demand through 2026, especially in:
- Kiwifruit orchards
- Apple orchards
- Berry farms
- Citrus farms
- Vineyards and packhouses
The main hiring regions are:
- Bay of Plenty (kiwifruit)
- Hawke’s Bay (apples and grapes)
- Nelson-Tasman (apples and kiwifruit)
- Kerikeri (citrus and mandarins)
- Marlborough (vineyards)
Job websites
- PickNZ Jobs — Official horticulture and orchard job listings.
- Backpacker Job Board NZ — Seasonal fruit-picking and farm work vacancies.
- SEEK New Zealand Seasonal Jobs — Orchard, packhouse, and harvest jobs.
- Heywood Orchards Careers — Apple and kiwifruit seasonal work.
Example 2026 jobs
Kiwifruit Harvest – Bay of Plenty
- Picking season: April–June 2026
- Pay can reach NZD 26–36+ per hour depending on productivity
- Accommodation available at some orchards
- Training provided for beginners.
Edgecumbe Orchard Harvest Work
- Starting March 2026
- Pay around NZD 23.50/hour plus holiday pay
- No experience required
- Physical outdoor work carrying fruit and working overhead.
Apple and Kiwifruit Picking – Nelson
- Seasonal intake begins around March 2026
- Harvest, pruning, and thinning work available throughout the year.
Salary
Typical earnings:
- NZD 23–30+ per hour for hourly jobs
- Piece-rate workers may earn more during peak harvest periods
- Weekly income often ranges from NZD 800–1,500+ depending on hours and productivity.
Visa options for Pakistanis
The most important pathways are:
- Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) program
- Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)
- Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)
Recent New Zealand immigration updates indicate that some seasonal visa categories remain exempt from new English-language requirements that apply to certain work visas.
Important reality check
Many orchard employers prefer workers who already hold:
- A valid New Zealand work visa
- Working holiday visas (for eligible countries)
- Seasonal work visas arranged through approved employers
People discussing these pathways online often note that direct overseas sponsorship for basic fruit-picking roles can be difficult unless recruited through approved seasonal-worker programs.
If you’re from Phillipine, tell me:
- Age
- Education
- Farm/labor experience
- English level
- Passport status
and I can explain the easiest New Zealand farm-work visa route for 2026 and which employers are most likely to hire overseas workers.