seasonal work rolling images        kiwifruit pollination Bob n a break

current seasonal work available

Currently there is picking work available, our contractors are wanting a commitment of 4 weeks minimum and people who are wanting to work NOT PARTY. A car with the ability to take others (2- 3 more in the car) IS an advantage preference will be given to people with a car. You will need to agree to our guest guidelines and terms and conditions of occupancy before you will be given job info. Contact us about kiwifruit picking work in Tauranga using Job Inquiry 1.

Sheree & Rick have great working relationships with a number of excellent contractors, whom we consider honest reliable and professional. These contractors look to us to source good keen workers for their seasonal work requirements throughout the year. Our goal before the start of the 2010 picking season is to have all contractors provide us with copies of their contracts so we can speed up the induction process for them, thus allowing them to get you earning money faster.

Our contractors cover a large area from Pyes Pa through Katikati and down to Paiangaroa. It is always an advantage to have a car. If you do have to take others with you you should ask for a contribution towards petrol.

Kiwifruit Picking

- would generally start towards the end of March and last for 6 - 8 weeks, with packing starting at the same time though lasting right through to late September with repack. You will be part of a team, and the more the teampicks the more money you can get.
Picking requires average height 5'4 - 5'7 people, both males and females are able to do it. You will need to be able to carry about 25 - 30 kg in a bag carried in front of you. You should have good health with no allergies, back problems and good strength. We tell people who are applying that it will take about 2 - 3 days to get used to the job, your muscles will be sore, you will feel bad, and probably you will not want to do the job. We also say you should stick at it, as based on previous experience most who get through the first few days will do well, and the potential to earn good money is there.
If you are picking Gold Kiwifruit, you will in most cases be paid hourly, as Gold Kiwifruit has to be handled carefully as they bruise easily. Green Kiwifruit picking is paid on contract rate. There can be a number of factors that can influence the rate of pay for both hourly and contract, every orchard is different. When picking Green Kiwifruit we have heard of people earning very good Money. The faster you pick the more you can get.

Winter Pruning - Kiwifruit

The winter pruning of kiwifruit vines starts mid June generally 1 - 2 weeks after picking finishes. Most contractors who employed backpackers for the kiwifruit picking season will take on backpackers looking for seasonal work in Tauranga during the winter months. Unlike picking, kiwifruit winter pruning does require some training time to learn and understand how to prune the vines. Backpackers who take the time to learn and understand the process can earn very good money, even on contract rates. Here we have two video clips of backpackers who have stayed at Bell Lodge working with one of our contractors winter pruning. Georg and Wong did not start out very well, it took at least 1 week to understand what they were doing, and to get some speed up to earn reasonable money. We will be going back to the 'bays' they have been working in and progressing through the different stages and work requirements of the Kiwifruit orchard. We also have a video of Vince talking about winter pruning and tying down in general.
For those of you looking for seasonal work in Tauranga and considering coming during the winter pruning season, you should consider a few things before doing so.

  • You should be 1.65m tall.
  • You should be reasonably fit
    • .
  • Be willing to learn before you earn - It does take time for your body to adjust and you to understand what you are doing
  • Make a commitment of 4 - 6 weeks to stay with the contractor

Spring Pollination & Flower Thinning

There is also opporunities for those who are keen to work for longer hours (up to 20hrs per day) to earn very good money. Summer pruning and other general orchard work is available through the summer months.It is a bonus if you have a car although the contractor may be able to arrange transport for a small charge per day.

There are opportunities to work within family businesses both in kiwifruit or Flower & Foliage Work, though these jobs are highly sort after and we make sure the right people are placed.

Please Note:Whilst Bell Lodge Backpackers Hostel and staff advertise work that they have been made aware is available, we are 100% honest. We will not say there is work when there is not. Mother Nature throws some challenges into the mix, weather, fruit condition and such making these seasonal work positions sometimes difficult to get started. And not all of our contractors are working exclusively with us.
We cannot be held responsible if the job falls through or the contractor changes the start dates etc. We will make every effort to notify you of changes or find other work for you where we can.