Front of House
Hospitality
Summer is traditionally the busiest time of the year with visitors coming to holiday and dine in our region. You will be helping guests to their tables, welcoming them, taking their orders, serving their food and drinks and managing customer queries. Front of house roles include hosts, wait staff, bar staff, barista etc. You should be outgoing, personable, and able to manage tricky customer questions, and work through a busy service.
What you'll need to bring to the role
Almost all roles involve working with customers and a crew of people so being well presented, personable and working well with a team is a must. Most of the skills required in this industry are trainable so you just need to be willing to learn.
What you'll get out of it
The jobs will come with on-the-job training and there are many opportunities to progress by completing a formal qualification – e.g. barista certificate, cookery qualifications, food and beverage service certificates, hospitality management qualification – and these skills and experience will open opportunities to travel and work anywhere.
What are your training options
Back of House
Hospitality
Top of the South is traditionally a holiday destination with visitors coming to explore and dine in our region at various time of the year. You will have a passion for food, cooking and working as part of the kitchen team during a busy service, you may be helping prepare meals and presenting dishes, to clearing and cleaning the pots, pans, and dishes.
What you'll need to bring to the role
Almost all roles involve working with customers and a crew of people so being well presented, personable and working well with a team is a must. Most of the skills required in this industry are trainable so you just need to be willing to learn.
What you'll get out of it?
The jobs will come with on-the-job training and there are many opportunities to progress by completing a formal qualification – e.g. barista certificate, cookery qualifications, food and beverage service certificates, hospitality management qualification – and these skills and experience will open opportunities to travel and work anywhere.
What are your training options
Vintage
Winemaking
Vintage is the process of making the wine after the grapes have been harvested. Grapes are picked by hand or by machine (see Viticulture – Vines) and stems and leaves removed. The grapes are pressed and the juice stored in barrels or vats to ferment before being bottled. The timing of harvest can vary depending on seasonal factors.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
During vintage wineries hire additional staff, known as cellar hands, to complete a wide range of tasks. This includes pressing fruit, monitoring fermentation (making additions as needed), tank and floor cleaning and barrel work. As this is a busy time you may need to be available to work shifts, five to six days a week and paid on an hourly basis.
What you’ll get out of it
This is an exciting industry to be a part of and there are opportunities to grow your skills and eventually travel to work in other wine making regions in New Zealand or around the world.
What are your training options
Harvest
Viticulture - Vines
Harvest (picking the grapes) is completed by hand or machine when the grapes are at just the right sweetness/acidity levels. Machine harvesters travel through the vineyards and gently shake the fruit from the vines. The hand picking is used to produce the highest quality wine, as this is more time consuming and selects the finest grapes that are cut from the vine with secateurs.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Hand-harvesting is manual outdoor work and will involve bending, lifting and plenty of walking. Come prepared with good work boots, sunscreen, hat and plenty of water/food. There is also work during harvest in machinery operation, which you can be trained for on the job.
What you’ll get out of it
You will be working as part of a team, which is a good opportunity to get to know others. The roles can extend out for several months and can lead to further work in the vineyards.
What are your training options
Pruning
Viticulture - Vines
The pruning season requires a huge amount of effort and labour force and is very important as it affects the quality of the new fruit that will grow in summer. Pruning starts after harvest once the vine has dropped its leaves.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
There are different ways to prune a vine and your employer will provide training in their preferred method. You will be cutting the old canes and shoots and selecting a newly grown cane to wrap around the wire - involving repetitive use of loppers and secateurs. This is winter work, so you’ll need to rug up (at least until the sun appears and you warm up!).
What you’ll get out of it
The pruning season offers work for several months and can lead to further work in the vineyards. You will earn no less then minimum wage with many employers offering the opportunity to earn more through contract/piece rates.
What are your training options
Thinning, bud rubbing, lifting
Viticulture - Vines
There are a variety of tasks completed over this time - the role is often advertised as vineyard worker or labourer. Thinning is the removal of excess shoots; bud rubbing involves removing buds from the vine stems so that the energy is used to grow the new main buds; and the wire lifting is moving the wire to guide the vine to grow upwards.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
This is manual outdoor work and will involve plenty of bending and walking. Some of the tasks are more manual than others so switching between tasks can help rest your muscles. Come prepared with good work boots, sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water/food.
What you’ll get out of it
You will be working as part of a team, which is a good opportunity to get to know others. The roles can extend out for several months and can lead to further work in the vineyards.
What are your training options
Harvest and Plant Maintenance
Vegetable Growing
With a variety of Summer and Winter vegetables grown in our region, there is work to be done almost year-round. Planting is a continuous cycle with Spring being the busiest time for this work.
In October the harvest starts to get busy as summer produce like garlic, tomatoes and capsicums are ready to pick. The work may involve picking in glasshouses, or outdoors, or packhouse work. Winter is quieter but there is still produce to harvest and plant maintenance to keep on top of.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Outdoor and glasshouse work requires you be fit as you’ll be busy all day with picking, planting etc. You need to be flexible to pick up other tasks such as spraying, leaf plucking and general plant maintenance. Having a green thumb or love for gardening would be a bonus.
In the packhouse, the work involves sorting, grading and packing produce, preparing orders and general cleaning and machine maintenance.
What you’ll get out of it
There is such a range of work available with vegetable growing that there should be something for everyone with the potential to pick up a variety of skills and experience. You work independently but also as part of a team, so it’s a great way to meet people, build confidence and fitness.
What are your training options
Attractions Coordinator, Adventure Guides
Tourism
Summer through to Autumn is traditionally the busiest time of the year in our region with visitors coming to holiday and experience the natural surroundings and adventures. These experiences attract visitors from all over the world, so you will be preparing visitors for the experience. You will need a guiding qualification (New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association Level 1 or more) as you will be responsible for the safety of visitors.
What you'll need to bring to the role
Almost all roles involve working with customers and a crew of people so being well presented, personable and working well with a team is a must. Local knowledge of the tourist attractions or places to visit will give you a head start, or you can quickly learn on the job. Most of the skills required in this industry are trainable so you just need to be willing to learn.
What you'll get out of it
The jobs will come with on-the-job training and there are many opportunities to progress by completing a formal qualification – e.g. kayak guiding, Kiwi Host, P endorsement, boat master – and these skills and experiences will open opportunities to travel and work anywhere.
What are your training options
Harvest
Summerfruit
The harvest work of summer fruit in our region suits people who are looking for short-term roles and enjoy being outdoors.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Picking involves selecting and placing ripe fruit into buckets or bags carried over your shoulders. There is plenty of walking and either bending or you may be up and down a ladder, so you need to be okay with climbing and heights.
What you’ll get out of it
You work independently but also as part of a team, so it’s a great way to meet people, build confidence and fitness. In picking you will earn no less then minimum wage with many employers offering the opportunity to earn more through contract/piece rates.
What are your training options
Meat Processing
Meat
Meat processing work is factory-based and involves processing (e.g. boning, cutting, filleting), grading and packaging the meat. You’ll also operate processing machinery/knives and complete general day to day duties like cleaning.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Meat processing work may involve slaughtering animals and you’ll be working with animal carcasses so it’s not for everyone. It may involve shift work, overtime, and weekends over the peak period.
What you’ll get out of it
The meat processing industry offers entry level work with minimal requirements. There may be apprenticeship opportunities (e.g. butcher) or pathways to supervisor or management roles.
What are your training options
Fruit Thinning & Canopy Maintenance
Kiwifruit
Kiwifruit vines have a major growth burst as summer starts, which means the vines must be pruned again. The pruning involves removing excess vegetation from the vine to ensure sunlight reaches the fruit. Fruit thinning is the removal of excess or damaged fruit to allow quality kiwifruit to grow.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
If you enjoy being outdoors, this could be a role for you. Thinning is done by hand and for pruning you’ll use secateurs or loppers. Both thinning and pruning can be repetitive work and may involve bending under the vines, but you will get the hang of it easily.
What you’ll get out of it
Fruit thinning and canopy management can lead onto harvesting roles. By working through this period, you can add this experience to your CV. You will earn no less than minimum wage with many employers offering the opportunity to earn more through contract/piece rates.
What are your training options
Harvest
Kiwifruit
Harvesting is when mature fruit is removed from trees. Two types of harvest roles are available – picking and packing. Orchard roles can be more physically demanding, whereas packhouse roles can suit all ages.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Picking involves walking underneath the vines and twisting the fruit, placing it into bags carried over your shoulders and then gently placing the fruit in large bins.
Packing is indoors, based in the packhouses where the picked fruit is received, quality checked and packed ready to sell. You will be on your feet and need to have good concentration levels and good hand/eye coordination.
What you’ll get out of it
Harvest can lead onto a pruning role. By working through this period, you can add this experience to your CV. You will earn no less than minimum wage with many employers offering the opportunity to earn more through contract/piece rates.
What are your training options
Pruning
Kiwifruit
With the harvest complete, vines are dormant, making it the ideal time for pruning. This is winter work, so you’ll need to rug up (at least until the sun appears and you warm up!).
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Pruning kiwifruit is the removal of last season’s fruiting canes and selecting and tying down new canes for the next season’s growth. The canopy should have even spacing (no gaps) for growing consistent fruit. This involves repetitive use of loppers and secateurs.
What you’ll get out of it
Following pruning, you may be able to move into a bud thinning role in Spring. By working through this period, you can add this experience to your CV. You will earn no less than minimum wage with many employers offering the opportunity to earn more through contract/piece rates.
What are your training options
Bud Thinning
Kiwifruit
Bud thinning starts in the orchards in Spring when new shoots and flower buds start to appear on the canes. You’ll be removing some of the new buds by hand to allow space for the developing fruit to grow bigger and healthier.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
If you enjoy being outdoors, this could be a role for you. There is plenty of walking and it can be repetitive work, but you will get the hang of it easily.
What you’ll get out of it
Following bud thinning, you may be able to move into a fruit thinning/canopy management role. By working through this period, you can add this experience to your CV. You will earn no less than minimum wage with many employers offering the opportunity to earn more through contract/piece rates.
What are your training options
Harvest
Hops
Harvest involves stripping the flowers from vines to be dried and then packaged for wholesale. This is a peak time for labour, with growers needing to take on extra people to fill roles.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
The hop industry involves mostly physical work (indoors and outdoors) and is busy during the peak times with long days at work. The harvest involves picking, drying, and packing hops and you also may help with tractor driving and forklift operation. The gardens are located outside of town centres, so you will generally need to have reliable transport.
What you’ll get out of it
Being a part of a growing industry can be exciting and stand out employees may be offered a pathway into longer term roles with the possibility to earn good money as you become more competent.
What are your training options
Bine Training
Hops
During hop training the hop bines (the stem of the plant) are wound onto lines to encourage them to grow upwards. This is a peak time for labour, with growers needing to take on extra people to fill roles.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
The hop industry involves mostly physical work (including bending) and is busy during the peak times with long days at work. You’ll be working outdoors and may help with tractor driving and forklift operation. The gardens are located outside of town centres, so you will generally need to have reliable transport.
What you’ll get out of it
Being a part of a growing industry can be exciting and stand out employees may be offered a pathway into longer term roles. As you get faster you can earn good money as most employers pay contract rates once you get past minimum wage.
What are your training options
Wood Processing
Forestry
Wood processing jobs are available year-round. They include saw-milling (turning logs into rough sawn timber or boards) wood product manufacturing and timber dressing. The roles can involve sorting, stacking, grading timber and record keeping.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Wood product manufacturing is an entry level option, working indoors using machinery to cut logs into timber to build furniture and other products. Jobs are available year-round and may involve shift work.
What you’ll get out of it
This sector can offer stable, ongoing work. As the construction sector continues to expand in New Zealand, there is ongoing demand for wood products. Apprenticeships and other training may be offered to build up your skills and knowledge and to help you progress into other roles.
What are your training options
Harvesting
Forestry
Trees are harvested by experienced logging workers. Harvest work slows down during planting season as forestry workers may step in to help at peak planting times.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Logging workers need to gain extra qualifications for the harvest – e.g. chainsaw operation, wheels/track and rollers and medium/heavy vehicle licences.
What you’ll get out of it
Forestry offers a broad range of work and training opportunities, depending on your fitness and goals. Apprenticeships and other training may be offered to help build up your skills and knowledge and to help you progress into other roles.
What are your training options
Planting
Forestry
Silviculture roles are in highest demand between May and September, which is when planting happens, and then pruning and general maintenance occurs during other months.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Working in silviculture is a good entry point to the forestry industry. This work involves being outdoors, bending and walking, including up steep hills, so you will need to be fit.
What you’ll get out of it
Silviculture can lead to other forestry roles like harvest and machine operation. Apprenticeships and other training is available build up your skills and knowledge. You will earn no less then minimum wage with many employers offering the opportunity to earn more through contract/piece rates.
What are your training options
Processing
Seafood Processing
Seafood processing roles vary and may include receiving, grading, and packing the products as well as general cleaning and maintenance. There is also secondary processing, such as coating fish fillets.
Roles are mostly on land, however, seafood processing also happens on-board deep sea fishing vessels (see Fishing – At Sea).
What you’ll need to bring to the role
During the peak periods factories run two to three shifts a day. The work is busy and involves being on your feet for long periods, so make sure you have good quality shoes. You will work as part of a large team and training is provided for the roles.
What you’ll get out of it
There are some opportunities for ongoing work and further training and career progression within seafood processing. You can also plan this work around opportunities in other industries. (e.g. apples, hops etc).
What are your training options
Milking, Processing
Dairy
During peak milking season cows are milked once or twice a day. This is also peak processing time at the dairy companies where milk is converted into products like cheese, butter, yoghurt and milk powder. You’ll find roles ranging from factory work and machinery operation to administration and management.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Working on the farms is a busy hands-on job so you need to enjoy this type of work. Tasks include cleaning, feeding, milking (by machine) and care of animals. You’re likely to be working on a roster basis (i.e. set days on days off).
Dairy processing roles are factory-based, working in a team making dairy products. This can involve production line work, machinery and equipment operation and could mean night work if the business runs night and day shifts.
What you’ll get out of it
There are ongoing permanent roles on dairy farms if you enjoy this work and want to build a career in the industry.
Dairy processing roles offer experience in manufacturing and food science, which could lead to work in other similar industries and options for promotion.
What are your training options
Calving
Dairy
Dairy farms need additional labour for calving (birth of the calves) and calf rearing to ensure the animals are well-fed and healthy.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Calf rearing is an important time on dairy farms because the female calves go on to produce the milk in two-three years. This is a busy hands-on job, working on the farm with animals so you need to enjoy this type of work.
What you’ll get out of it
There are ongoing permanent roles on dairy farms if you enjoy this work and want to build a career in the industry, including managing your own cows and/or farm.
What are your training options
Calving, Milking, Processing
Dairy
This will be the busiest time in the dairy world. Dairy farms need additional labour for calving (birth of the calves) and calf rearing; cows are milked once or twice a day and this is peak processing time at the dairy companies.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
The farm roles are all busy, hands-on jobs working on the farm with animals, so you need to enjoy this type of work. Dairy processing roles are factory-based, working in a team making dairy products.
What you’ll get out of it
There are ongoing permanent roles on dairy farms if you enjoy this work and want to build a career in the industry. Dairy processing roles offer experience in manufacturing and food science, which could lead to work in other similar industries and options for promotion.
What are your training options
Farm Hand & Harvest
Aquaculture
Work on the farms happens year-round and includes feeding and caring for the fish/mussels, cleaning and maintaining equipment and record keeping. Mussels are harvested from longlines, sorted, and bagged before going to processing facilities. Salmon are harvested from the net-pens and transported on ice to processing facilities in specialised tankers.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Aquaculture farming are hands-on roles working in and around the marine environment, often on a roster basis (e.g. a set number of days on and then off).
What you’ll get out of it
There are many entry level roles in the aquaculture industry which offer on the job training. The region is a hub for aquaculture, making it the perfect place to study locally and start a career in this industry. Aquaculture offers good employment prospects as the industry aims for major growth.
What are your training options
Deep Sea Crew
Fishing at Sea
Fishing boats offer a diversity of roles, ranging from cook/galley hand to deckhands, onboard seafood processing, electricians, engineers, through to skipper.
During hoki season, fishing work increases and vessels take on extra staff to allow for the additional catch. This includes work based at the port to help with unloading.
What are your training options
Fruit Thinning
Apples & Pears
Fruit thinning starts in the orchards in Spring. Removing young and damaged fruit from a cluster allows the rest of the fruit to grow bigger and healthier.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
If you enjoy being outdoors, this could be a role for you. It involves repetitive hand movements, walking and you may be up and down a ladder. You need to be okay with climbing and heights and not allergic to bees.
What you’ll get out of it
Fruit thinning can lead onto harvesting roles. By working through this period, you can add this experience to your CV. You will earn no less then minimum wage with many employers offering the opportunity to earn more through contract/piece rates.
What are your training options?
Harvest
Apples & Pears
Harvesting is the time when mature fruit is removed from trees. There are many roles available during harvest in fruit picking and packing.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Picking involves selecting and placing ripe fruit into bags carried over your shoulders which means you need to have some adequate physical fitness. Sometimes you’ll be using picking platforms or hydra-ladders. There is plenty of walking and you may be up and down a ladder, so you need to be okay with climbing and heights.
Packing roles are indoors, based in the packhouses where the picked fruit is received, quality checked and packed ready to sell. You will be on your feet for long periods and need to have good concentration levels and good hand/eye coordination.
What you’ll get out of it
Harvest work can provide a longer contract than other roles. You work independently but also as part of a team, so it’s a great way to meet people, build confidence and fitness. You will earn no less then minimum wage with many employers offering the opportunity to earn more through contract/piece rates.
What are your training options
Pruning
Apples & Pears
With the harvest complete, trees are pruned ready for the next growing season. This is outdoor winter work, so you’ll need to rug up (at least until the sun appears and you warm up!).
What you’ll need to bring to the role
Pruning requires use of secateurs, loppers, and handsaws to remove branches that are old, rotten or don’t have many buds. You keep the best-looking spurs that will grow into large, juicy fruit. You may be up and down a ladder, so you need to be okay with climbing and heights. You will need an adequate level of physical fitness.
What you’ll get out of it
Pruning can lead onto a bud and fruit thinning role.By working through this period, you can add this experience to your CV. You will earn no less then minimum wage with many employers offering the opportunity to earn more through contract/piece rates.
What are your training options
Bud Thinning
Apples & Pears
Bud thinning work starts in spring, working in the orchards. You’ll be removing some of the new buds either by hand or with secateurs to allow space for the rest of the blossoms to grow bigger and healthier.
What you’ll need to bring to the role
If you enjoy being outdoors, this could be a role for you. There is plenty of walking and you may be up and down a ladder, so you need to be okay with climbing and heights and not allergic to bees.
What you’ll get out of it
Bud and fruit thinning can lead onto harvest roles. By working through this period, you can add this experience to your CV. You will earn no less then minimum wage with many employers offering the opportunity to earn more through contract/piece rates.