Fruit pickers harvest kiwis, apples across Bay of Plenty, Gisborne nationwide. Earn NZD 25-32/hr ($50K-65K season), filling bins fast, outdoor physical work. PickNZ, Apata Group, JK Contracting hiring NOW for March-June 2026 harvest – reliable hard workers wanted!
Job Overview
Job Title: Fruit Picker / Kiwifruit Harvester / Apple Picker / Orchard Worker / Crop Harvest
Location: Bay of Plenty (Te Puke, Katikati), Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Nationwide
Industry: Horticulture, Fruit Orchards
Hiring Companies: PickNZ Partners, Apata Group, JK Contracting, Bronte Orchards
Job Demand: High (30+ listings, seasonal peaks March-June)
Job Responsibilities
- Pick ripe kiwis/apples into buckets/bins carefully.
- Climb ladders, carry full bins to collection points.
- Sort quality fruit, remove damaged/bruised produce.
- Clear orchard floors, maintain picking tools.
- Work long days rain or shine (8-10 hrs).
- Team inventory counts end of day.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit: 18-50 years
Experience: Entry-level OK; picking preferred, training given
License: Preferred for rural transport
Fitness: Excellent stamina (lift 15-20kg bins, ladders)
Checks: Drug test often required
Salary & Benefits 🔥
| Details | Info |
|---|---|
| Salary | NZD 25-32/hr + piece rate |
| Weekly Avg | NZD 1,000-1,300 |
| Guaranteed Hrs | 40-60 weekly (season) |
| Benefits | Accommodation, meals |
| PPE | Gloves, pickers provided |
| Transport | Orchard shuttles |
| Overtime | Daily after 8hrs (1.5x) |
| Perks | End bonuses, visa help |
| Season Total | NZD 10K-15K (3 months) |
Salary Structure
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate | Weekly Pay | Location Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual Picker | NZD 25 | NZD 1,000 | Te Puke |
| Fast Picker | NZD 27-29 | NZD 1,080-1,160 | Katikati |
| Bin Filler | NZD 29-31 | NZD 1,160-1,240 | Gisborne |
| Lead Harvester | NZD 32+ | NZD 1,300+ | Hawke’s Bay |
Related Job Posts
| Job Title | Company/Location | Pay/Details | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiwifruit Picker | JK Contracting/Te Puke | $25-32/hr bins | Phys fit, fast |
| Apple Harvester | Bronte Orchards/Tasman | Piece rate | Ladder work |
| Orchard Worker | Pro Kiwi/Opotiki | Accomm provided | Reliable team |
| Fruit Sorter | Under the Vine/Gisborne | $25/hr quality | Detail oriented |
| Seasonal Picker | Kaitere Ltd/Gisborne | March start | Full season |
Visa & Documents
Visa Options: RSE Scheme (full sponsorship Pacific/India), Accredited Employer
Casual Entry: Working Holiday → seasonal extension
Required:
✓ Physically fit (bin lifting, ladders)
✓ Passport valid 6+ months
✓ Police clearance
✓ Medical certificate
✓ Right to work NZ
How to Apply
- CV: Physical fitness, any farm/picking experience
- Portals: PickNZ.co.nz jobs, BackpackerJobBoard.co.nz fruit picking
- Direct: ApataGroup.co.nz/careers, JKContracting careers
- Agencies: Hortitude Labour Solutions
👉 Apply Now for Fruit Picking Jobs NZ
Important Tips for Job Seekers
- March-June kiwifruit peak → highest pay bins
- Speed = money (pairs fill 2+ bins/hour)
- Physical fitness > experience for entry
- Rural live: shared camps, limited WiFi
- Bay of Plenty/Gisborne highest demand
- Full season commitment = bonuses/visa help
FAQs
No experience?
Yes, on-site picking training given
Rainy days work?
Usually off, covered by insurance
Casual → permanent?
Pruning/packhouse roles for fast workers
Hours?
7/8AM-4/5PM, 5-6 days/week
Drug tests?
Common pre-start orchard safety
Accommodation?
Shared orchard camps $100-150/week deducted
Conclusion
Fruit picking jobs deliver NZD 10K-15K seasonal cash, massive harvest demand! PickNZ, Apata hiring Bay of Plenty NOW. Apply PickNZ/BackpackerBoard IMMEDIATE – fit fast pickers secure March bins. Harvest NZ fruit bounty 2026!