The harvest season or picking season begins for us in the month of Feburary (mid) and goes through until early May.We offer continuous work through these times.

PICKERS;
Pickers are employed on a piecework or contract basis,(you are paid by how much you pick).Fruit is picked into large bins,(450kg= largest ) and each bin is paid a specified amount (bin rate). Rates can vary depending on the variety of fruit to be picked ,- there are individual requirements for each variety.BIN RATES USUALLY AROUND $30NZ PER BIN PICKED.
You should be able to earn around $100- $120+($NZ) for a good picker with good fruit.Skilled pickers and fast learners can potentially earn more.Full training and encouragement is given!!Be warned- It is not just a matter of rolling up and tearing all the fruit off the trees as fast as possible , if the fruit that you pick is damaged by bad handling,- you may not get paid at all for what you have done. Care must be taken.
It does take a week or two to build up the strenght and speed required to really succeed with fruit picking.It is hard physical work,climbing ladders and carrying a picking bag all day long.Many people,all shapes and sizes/backgrounds manage no problems.

PACKING;
If you think picking would be too hard or would prefer, there are positions available in the packhouse packing operation.Work here is on an hourly rate and we usually work an 8 hour day- 40hr week.Over peak production times we may have to work an extra shift (extra 4 hours) at most only twice a week.- this depends on the season.
Full training is given, as there are requirements for the fruit we export.(you will never look at the the fruit section in your local supermarket the same again!)
Also,- If you start with us as a picker and find it too hard ,I may be able to find a position in the packhouse-if there is one available.

EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS;
Payment of wages is weekly,by direct credit,to a New Zealand bank account .This will need to be set up as soon as you arrive , we can help with those who need help with this.
You will also need a tax or IRD number,apply to the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department for this.We have the forms available for those who don't or haven't got a number.(have photocopies on hand, of your ID or better still passport- this will speed things up!)

PLEASE NOTE- WE CAN NOT ARRANGE WORKING VISAS/SPONSORSHIPS FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ALREADY IN NEW ZEALAND OR WERE NOT ALREADY PLANNING TO TRAVEL TO THIS COUNTRY.IT IS FAR EASIER TO HAVE THE "WORKING HOLIDAY VISA-WHV"- IN PLACE BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME COUNTRY.DUE TO GOVERNMENT POLICY CHANGES ,WE CAN NOT GET TOURIST VISAS ALTERED TO WORKING VISA'S THIS YEAR.WE ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE "RECOGNISED SEASONAL EMPLOYER SCHEME" OR "RSE" AS IT IS TOO DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE FOR SMALLER EMPLOYERS TO BE A PART OF.

ACCOMODATION;
We have accommodation available on site, ranging from fully self contained units to dorm type rooms with share kitchen facilities etc.Showers,washing machines etc are all on site.There is a weekly rental fee charged for all accommodations- ($40.00NZ$/person/ week,also a monthly deduction for electricity usage-usually around $20per person).There is also a couple of powerpoints on site for those who have their own campers/ caravans and are self contained.There is also plenty of room for those who want to camp / tent it.