Seasonal Fruit Pickers Jobs in New Zealand For Foreigners

The Recognized Seasonal Employer Visa, often known as the RSE Limited Visa, is a new visa that New Zealand has developed for seasonal fruit and vegetable pickers. This is so-called because the visa allows its subscribers to stay for a specific amount of time. You can work in the horticultural, viticultural, and agricultural industries with this visa.

Benefits of Seasonal Fruit Picking Jobs in New Zealand include free food, free lodging, visa sponsorship, opportunities for visa extensions, and much more. Learn more about Seasonal Fruit Pickers Jobs in New Zealand with Free Accommodation and Free Food by reading on. Find out more about Free Food and Accommodation Seasonal Fruit Pickers Jobs in New Zealand by reading on.

Details of Seasonal Fruit Pickers Jobs in New Zealand For Foreigners

Key Points

• Job Title: Seasonal Fruit Pickers/Seasonal Workers
• Job Country: New Zealand
• Expected Salary: $22.7-$29.6
• Visa Sponsorship: Yes
• Employee Benefits: Yes
• Free Food: Yes
• Free Accommodation: Yes

Read Also: Visa Sponsorship Construction Worker Jobs in New Zealand

What is an RSE Visa?

The Recognized Seasonal Employer Visa is known as the RSE Visa. About 20,000 visas are granted by New Zealand annually for these occupations. You can work in the horticultural, viticultural, and agricultural industries with this visa. Free tickets, lodging, and food are among the perks offered on the job, which attracts overseas workers. The processing time for this visa is only nine days, and the result is nearly always yes!

Requirements 

The following is a detailed list of requirements for seasonal fruit picker jobs in New Zealand that include free food and lodging:

1. Age Requirement

• The minimum age is eighteen.
• There is no upper age restriction, however candidates must be able to conduct manual labor.
• Perfect for backpackers, young adults, and people looking for temporary work overseas.

2. Basic English Language Skills

• No formal English language test (e.g., IELTS) required.
• Must be able to:
  • Recognize basic directions.
  • Interact with team members and supervisors.
  • Read and abide by work procedures and safety rules.

3. Physical Fitness

• physically taxing task that involves standing for extended periods of time, bending, and moving containers.
• Must be:
  • Suitable for working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
  • able to efficiently lift, select, and sort fruits.

4. New Zealand-Specific CV and Cover Letter

• Must prepare:
  • a customized resume (also known as a CV) that adheres to NZ formatting guidelines.
  • a detailed cover letter outlining your availability, willingness to relocate, and employment role.
• Emphasize:
  • Muscle mass and endurance.
  • any experience working outdoors or on farms.
  • dependability, cooperation, and flexibility.

5. Job Offer from a Recognized Employer

• An authorized Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) in New Zealand must extend a work offer to you.
• These employers are authorized to:
  • Hire employees from abroad.
  • Make food and lodging available for free or at a reduced cost.
  • Use the RSE program to sponsor your work permit.

6. Medical Insurance

• Compulsory for the entire period of your stay.
• You must:
  • Present documentation of your full health insurance.
  • Make sure it includes regular healthcare in New Zealand as well as accidents and emergencies.

Benefits 

The following is a concise and well-structured overview of the advantages of seasonal fruit-picking jobs in New Zealand that are eligible for the RSE Visa:

1. Easy Visa Process and Work Opportunities

• You can apply through a Working Holiday Visa (if qualified) or the Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) program.
• The visa can be extended under specific circumstances and is rather simple to get.
• Numerous job opportunities are guaranteed throughout several areas and seasons due to the high need for seasonal labor.

2. Free or Subsidized Accommodation

• Many RSE employers offer:
  • Free or low-cost accommodation such as
    • Self-contained vans
    • Cabins or huts
    • Shared dorms
  • Transportation demands are reduced because lodging is frequently found close to the workplace.

3. Attractive Salary

• The typical hourly wage is between NZD 20 and NZD 25, depending on the fruit and the company.
• Paying overtime is typical, particularly during harvest season.
• Better financial flexibility and budgeting are made possible by weekly pay cycles.

4. Ideal Job for Students and Travelers

• During summer vacation, overseas students often choose to go fruit picking.
• Also suitable for:
  • Backpackers
  • Working holidaymakers
  • Individuals looking for short-term income while exploring New Zealand.

5. Year-Round Job Market

• New Zealand’s agricultural calendar is varied:
  • Demand is especially high for cherry and kiwi harvesting.
  • Berries, citrus, grapes, apples, and other fruits are gathered at various periods of the year.
• As a result, possibilities are created all year long in places like Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough, Bay of Plenty, and Otago.

6. Government-Approved Seasonal Work Program

• Under the RSE program, thousands of positions are approved annually by the New Zealand government.
• Ensures:
  • Legality of employment
  • Fair wages
  • Employer accountability (especially regarding housing and health standards)

7. Welcoming Environment for Foreign Workers

• New Zealand is renowned for its welcoming and inclusive policies.
• RSE employees frequently work in multicultural teams.
• In order to facilitate assimilation, several employers provide:
  • Social activities
  • Community support
  • Language help and cultural orientation

8. Outdoor Work in Scenic Locations

• While working outdoors, take in the splendor of the New Zealand environment.
• Perfect for people who like:
  • Hands-on work
  • Fresh air and physical activity
  • A break from office-based jobs

Average Salary

In New Zealand, a fruit picker’s typical pay is determined by a number of criteria, including his experience, level of competence, work hours, terms and conditions of the employer, the type of farm he works on, and the weight of the entire consignment of fruit he picks up in a day. It’s also important to note that some businesses base your pay on the total number of hours you work, while others base it on the gross weight of the entire amount of fruit you harvest or pick. An average fruit picker, however, makes between NZD 22 and 22–29 per hour or NZD 0.60 and 1 per kilogram (some firms pay you wrt lbs), according to a Salary Explorer poll.

Responsibilities

The following is a thorough outline of the duties and responsibilities of a seasonal fruit picker in New Zealand:

1. Fruit Picking

• Primary task: Harvest fruits such as apples, kiwis, cherries, grapes, berries, etc.
• Pick fruits manually from trees, bushes, or vines in fields and orchards.
• Ensure that fruits are picked at the right stage of ripeness without causing damage.

2. Sorting and Quality Control

• Sort and throw away any rotting, overripe, or damaged vegetables.
• During or after harvesting, arrange fruits according to their size, color, and quality.

3. Packing and Labeling

• To avoid bruising, gently pack fruits into trays, cartons, or crates.
• Put accurate information on packaging labels, such as date, variety, and grade.
• Keep the packing consistent and hygienic.

4. Weighing and Loading

• Weigh fruit cartons using scales to ensure proper weight standards.
• Load cartons or bins into trucks or storage sheds with care to avoid spoilage.

5. Orchard Maintenance

• Hand-cultivate and prune trees, particularly apple trees.
• To guarantee high-quality harvests and get rid of extra fruits, hand-thinning is necessary.
• Preserve the cleanliness of the orchard by:
  • Weeding
  • Rock picking
  • Hoeing around plants
  • Raking leaves
  • Loosening and leveling soil

6. General Upkeep and Repairs

• Orchards should be routinely cleaned and arranged.
• Fix or get rid of damaged bins, baskets, or equipment.
• Before and after harvest, set up and remove bins from key orchard locations.

7. Handling Tools and Equipment

• When harvesting fruits from taller trees, properly lift and handle ladders weighing up to 60 pounds.
• Reduce produce handling damage by loading and unloading containers safely.

8. Operating Farm Vehicles (if trained)

• Some workers may be asked to:
  • Operate small trucks or tractors between fields or inside the orchard.
  • Deliver the harvested fruit to warehouses or packing sheds.

How to Apply

Finding a job is the initial step in obtaining fruit-picking jobs in New Zealand. You can apply for an RSE Work Visa online using New Zealand’s official immigration portal after receiving a job offer from any recognized employer in the country.

Conclusion

For foreigners looking for temporary employment in a safe, organized, and well-paying setting, seasonal fruit harvesting jobs in New Zealand present an excellent chance. You may work in one of New Zealand’s most important industries and receive free housing, food, and competitive pay through the RSE visa program.

Backpackers, students, working vacationers, and first-time job searchers from poor nations are all ideal candidates for these positions. International workers are welcomed in New Zealand’s friendly and picturesque agriculture sector, which has a quick visa application process and approves thousands of jobs each year.

Frequently Asked Questions