More on Seasonal Work

• Seasonal workers' accommodation Code of Practice (pdf)
• About seasonal work
• Where/when to work
• Regional map
• Types of seasonal work available
• PickNZ Seasonal Work Brochure 2010

• Fruit Thinner
  Fruit thinning is usually done during November and December. Excess fruit is removed from the tree by hand to allow the remaining fruit to grow to an acceptable size. Poor quality fruit is also removed. This job is usually paid on a piece work basis (price per tree). You are paid by the number of trees you thin per day or per week. Piece rates usually reflect the degree of difficulty of the work. The more difficult the work, the higher the rate.
• Picker
  Fruit pickers take fruit off trees that meets certain size/colour/maturity/quality standards. Fruit is picked into a bucket strapped to the shoulders. Buckets are then emptied into fruit bins which vary in size. Work is evaluated by the quality controller or orchard supervisor.
  Pickers must be fit and have good vision. The work may involve use of ladders or elevated work platforms. Fruit picking is usually paid on a piece work basis (price per bin). Piece rates usually reflect the degree of difficulty of the work. The more difficult the work, the higher the rate.
  Apple harvest usually starts mid February and lasts until mid May.
• Strawberry Picker
  Generally this is a job for mornings only. Pickers need to be physically fit and without back problems. Pay is generally on a piece work basis.
• Fruit Tree Pruner
  Skilled job that requires training if worker lacks experience. Tree branches are pruned by use of secateurs, loppers or electronic pruners to the specified requirements of the grower. Methods and equipment required may vary between employers. Other equipment which may be used are ladders and elevated work platforms.
• Tractor Driver
  Tractor drivers are responsible for bin placement and removal. They position empty bins at convenient positions for pickers and remove filled bins ready to be stacked on to trucks. Drivers must be able to operate machinery safely, and without damaging the harvested fruit.
• Hydralada Operator
  Hydraladas are elevated work platforms and a certain amount of skill is required to operate them. Hydralada operators pick fruit from the tops of the trees, usually following behind ground or ladder pickers. The operator may also be responsible for some maintenance of the machinery. Operators must be able to operate machinery safely, and without damaging the harvested fruit or trees.
• Forklift Operator
  Forklift operators may work in the orchard or pack house, loading bins of harvested fruit on and off trucks and placing them in shade houses or cool stores. Operators may also be responsible for labelling bins to ensure traceability of the fruit.
• Truck Driver
  Truck drivers transport fruit between orchards and pack houses and shippers. Truck drivers must have a heavy traffic (HT) licence and be able to deliver fruit safely and in good condition. Some paperwork is involved during delivery and dispatch.
• General Vineyard Work
  This may include wire tucking, debudding and general maintenance work
• Crop Monitor (pre-harvest)
  Pre-harvest crop monitors visit properties to identify any pests and diseases and assess any damage caused. This job also involves collecting and collating statistical data.
• Quality Controller (pre-harvest)
  Collection of fruit samples and testing for maturity to fruit maturity parameters. May involve travel between properties and a lot of walking within orchards. This job also involves collation of data.
• Quality Controller (harvest)
  Quality controllers work in the orchard and are responsible for the quality of the harvested crop. Random samples are taken from each bin and checked for quality, size, colour and maturity. Quality controllers should be able to relate well to both workers and management.
• Leading hand
  This is a permanent position, usually requiring a minimum of three years experience in the horticulture industry.
  Leading hands are responsible for supervising staff, crop production and protection, operation of machinery and equipment, as well as other general duties. May require a qualification (e.g. Certificate in Horticulture) or a 3-year Cadetship.
• Manager
  This is a permanent position, usually requiring a minimum of three years experience in the horticulture industry. Duties may include staff management, day-to-day running of the orchard, budgeting and administration (i.e. all duties an owner operator would usually undertake).
• Foreman
  This is a permanent position, usually requiring a minimum of three years experience in the horticulture industry. A foreman is responsible for supervising staff, crop production and protection, operation of machinery and equipment, as well as other general duties. May require a qualification (e.g. Certificate in Horticulture) or 3-year Cadetship.
• Human Resource Personnel
  HR personnel establish labour requirements and recruit people to fill positions within the industry.
• Leaf Plucker
  Leaf pluckers work outdoors removing excess leaves on the grapevine to expose fruit to sunlight.
• Bunch Thinner
  Bunch Thinners remove immature bunches of grapes to promote better growth in remaining bunches.

• Forklift Operator
  Forklift operators may work in the orchard or packhouse, loading bins of harvested fruit on and off trucks and placing them in shade houses or cool stores. Operators may also be responsible for labelling bins to ensure traceability of the fruit.
• Quality Controller (post harvest)
  Quality controllers work in the packhouse and are responsible for the quality of the harvested crop. Random samples are taken from each bin and checked for quality, size, colour and maturity. Quality controllers should be able to relate well to both workers and management.
• Office Administrator / Pay Clerk
  This position usually requires computer skills. Office administrators input and collate data collected in the orchard. They collect bin tallies from workers and balance with those of the orchard supervisors. Pay clerks pay staff for work completed.
• Data Input Clerk
  Clerks are responsible for the input data from packed fruit to provide traceability for shipped produce, and the reconciliation of data with grower records.
• Line Manager
  Line Managers work in the packhouse ensuring quality of the line of fruit being processed complies with industry standards.
• Shift Manager
  Shift Managers work in the packhouse and are responsible for workflow during the period of their shift. They solve workflow problems by people management, and usually liaise with the line manager.
• Labeller
  Labellers work in the packhouse labelling packed fruit for shipment. Using computer controlled equipment they ensure the traceability of packed fruit meet end market requirements.
• Grader
  Graders work in the packhouse sorting fruit for physical defects, colour, pest damage and overall quality.
• Cleaner
  Cleaners work in the packhouse ensuring the plant meets industry standards.
• Data Management Clerk
  Data Management Clerks work in the packhouse collecting and collating data either manually or by computer.
• Coolstore Personnel
  Coolstore personnel work in the packhouse coolstores keeping records of stock (bins and packed cartons) movements. Accuracy and numeracy are required.
• Stacker
  Stackers work in the pack house stacking packed boxes of fruit. This work involves plenty of heavy lifting so stackers must be strong and fit.
• Strappers
  Strappers secure the loads (with tape or plastic wrap) according to the requirements of the shippers.
• Process Factory Worker
  Process Factory Workers work in the packhouse.
• Tray Filler / Packer
  Tray fillers / packers work in the packhouse. They keep an eye out for defects in the fruit and make sure the packed product is presented well.
• Inspector
  Inspectors usually work at port of export, monitoring shipments to make sure they meet international standards. This position usually requires a MAF qualification.
• Manager
  Managers are responsible for the day to day running of the pack house including staff management, budgeting, administration, and planning.

• Crop Monitor
  Pre-harvest crop monitors visit properties to identify any pests and diseases and assess any damage caused. This job also involves collecting and collating statistical data.
• Office Administrator / Pay Clerk
  This position usually requires computer skills. Office administrators input and collate data collected in the orchard. They collect bin tallies from workers and balance with those of the orchard supervisors. Pay clerks pay staff for work completed.
• Data Input Clerk
  Clerks are responsible for the input data from packed fruit to provide traceability for shipped produce, and the reconciliation of data with grower records.
• Quality Controller (post harvest)
  Quality controllers work in the pack house and are responsible for the quality of the harvested crop. Random samples are taken from each bin and checked for quality, size, colour and maturity. Quality controllers should be able to relate well to both workers and management.
• Line Manager
  Line Managers work in the pack house ensuring quality of the line of fruit being processed complies with industry standards.
• Data Management Clerk
  Data Management Clerks work in the pack house collecting and collating data either manually or by computer.
• Manager
  Managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of the pack house including staff management, budgeting, administration, and planning.
• Foreman
  This is a permanent position, usually requiring a minimum of three years experience in the horticulture industry. A foreman is responsible for supervising staff, crop production and protection, operation of machinery and equipment, as well as other general duties. May require a qualification (e.g. Certificate in Horticulture) or 3-year Cadetship.