The little green and gold book - A guide to finding seasonal work in the New Zealand kiwifruit industry - NZKGI
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The little green and gold book A guide to finding seasonal work in the New Zealand kiwifruit industry 2019
Contents
About the NZ kiwifruit industry 03
Working in the NZ kiwifruit industry 05
The kiwifruit world – attractions 07
Worker welfare 09
Important considerations 12
In their own words 13
2
NORTHLAND The New Zealand Where the AUCKLAND kiwifruit industry industry is located Industry snapshot BAY OF PLENTY The kiwifruit industry is one of New Zealand’s horticultural success stories, WAIKATO accounting for over $2 billion in export earnings in 2017/18 – the largest horticultural earner and rivalling the other key primary produce exports. The industry comprises of over 2,500 growers across 3,055 orchards LOWER NORTH ISLAND covering nearly 13,000 hectares, which produced close to 126 million trays of fruit in 2017/18. The industry is serviced by over 400 TASMAN POVERTY BAY labour contractors and at the height of DISTRICT the season employs in excess of 15,000 seasonal workers. More than 50 packhouses process and pack the fruit which is distributed to HAWKE’S BAY markets in more than 50 countries. By 2027, the New Zealand kiwifruit industry is expected to reach $4 billion revenue from a projected 190 million trays. 3
Work calendar
WHO’S WHO
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc. Orchard/packhouse pressure timeline
NZKGI is the industry body which Activity by month
supports Growers and advocates on
their behalf within the industry and
with the Government. For more on
NZKGI go to www.nzkgi.org.nz
Zespri
Zespri is the kiwifruit industry’s
marketing organisation responsible
for marketing and distribution of the
kiwifruit harvest in overseas markets.
www.zespri.com
Contractors
The kiwifruit industry is serviced
by over 400 contractors who supply
labour for the orchards. A list of
contractors can be found on
www.nzkgi.org.nz. Jobs with Picking
contractors can be found at
Winter Pruning
https://bit.ly/2NeFdHd
Summer Pruning
Packhouses Thinning
Packing
The industry is well-serviced by
packhouses; a list can be found at Re-packing
www.nzkgi.org.nz
4
Working in the
kiwifruit industry
Orchard work
There are four main times during the
year when workers are required for
orchard work:
• picking (late March - June)
• winter pruning (July – September)
• thinning (October – February)
• summer pruning (October –
December).
Peak work periods
Harvest is the peak period for work
in the industry. Pickers are required
from late March through to mid-to-late
June, and during that time a large
workforce is required to harvest the
huge volume of fruit on the vines when
it is ready.
Picking is done by hand as the vines
are set at a manageable height; no
ladders are generally required. Picking
is labour-intensive and may suit
younger people; the picking bag can
weigh up to 20kg. Orchard work can be
interrupted by rain.
Pruning follows harvest and takes
place from July through to September.
This work requires some training and
workers need to be physically fit.
5
Working in the kiwifruit industry
(CONTINUED)
Packing and processing Career opportunities Pay rates
Once harvested, the kiwifruit crop The kiwifruit industry is a year-round Remuneration rates vary depending on
must be processed and packed at one business. Orchards require a fair the employer and the nature of the
of the industry’s many packhouses. amount of maintenance outside the seasonal role.
Roles within the packhouses include: harvesting and processing period to
For the 2019 season, harvesting
prepare the vines for the next season
• sorting and grading (picking) roles are expected to pay
and the requirement for orchard
$23.50 per hour on average, but rates
• packing the fruit into trays workers is high at those times as well.
vary depending on whether they
• forklift operation It is possible to undertake seasonal include the 8% Holiday Pay allowance
work in the industry for up to 46-48 and whether the pay rate is a fixed
• machinery operation. weeks a year, but there are a number hourly rate or a piece rate, i.e. a rate
Packhouse roles involve working shifts of peak employment periods such as based on how much crop you pick.
of 8-12 hours and there are roles a harvesting (March-June) and winter
Orchard maintenance roles such as
variety of people. Much of the work (July-September) pruning.
summer pruning or thinning pay $17.70
involves standing while working. There are also opportunities to to $20.50 per hour. Winter-pruning
Minimum age to work in the industry take up a full-time, permanent roles pay higher rates once a worker
is 16. role in the industry in horticultural has been trained and has experience.
and management roles. For more
Unskilled packhouse roles such as
information on careers in the kiwifruit
packing pay $17.70 per hour plus
industry, go to: www.nzkgi.org.nz/
holiday pay; more skilled roles in the
what-we-do/cultivate-your-career/
packhouse for trained and experienced
workers can pay up to $38 per hour.
Workers who demonstrate commitment
and aptitude have the opportunity to
take on more skilled roles.
All workers must receive the minimum
wage ($17.70 per hour from April 2019)
+8% holiday pay.
6
The kiwifruit world - attractions
Kiwifruit is grown in several parts of mountains, rivers, lakes and
New Zealand, where excellent climate geothermal attractions around the
and rich soils and drainage provide for cities of Rotorua – renowned for its
bumper harvests. Maori cultural attractions - and Taupo,
where New Zealand’s largest lake is
The Bay of Plenty located.
The BOP is around 2.5 hours’ drive
Around 85% of New Zealand’s planted
south of New Zealand’s largest city,
kiwifruit orchards by area lie in the
Auckland, and also accessible by air
Bay of Plenty (BOP) on the east coast
to the regional airport at Tauranga.
of the North Island.
Rotorua is about 60 minutes’ drive
The bulk of the orchards are from Tauranga and Taupo a further
concentrated in a stretch of the BOP hour’s drive, while the seaside town of
coast between the towns of Katikati Whakatane is an hour from Tauranga.
in the north and Opotiki in the east.
Much of the production is located Other kiwifruit locations
around the city of Tauranga and its Kiwifruit is also grown in Whangarei
major port facilities. and Kerikeri (Northland province),
The region enjoys a reputation for Pukekohe (Auckland), Cambridge
excellent weather and hosts a wide (Waikato), Gisborne (Poverty Bay),
variety of attractions, including water- Napier and Hastings (Hawke’s Bay),
based activities such as swimming, and Whanganui, down to Nelson and
surfing, fishing, SCUBA diving, and Motueka (Tasman) in the South Island.
sailing, as well as biking, tramping, All the growing locations lie in scenic
team and individual sports and other parts of the country. Northland enjoys
land-based activities. During the among the warmest weather in New
winter months, skiing is an easy Zealand, with attractions close on both
day-trip. coastlines along with harbours and
forests to enjoy.
The scenic attractions of the BOP
are internationally known – from Pukekohe in South Auckland is 30
the coastal white sand beaches and minutes from New Zealand’s biggest
gentle surf, to the excellent fishing city Auckland but also lies a short
opportunities and sightseeing to distance from the west coast and
the active White Island volcano the Waikato, while Cambridge in
off Whakatane, inland to forests, the Waikato lies amid some of the
7
The kiwifruit world - attractions (CONTINUED) country’s most beautiful and valuable agricultural land – a short step to famous Lord of the Rings locale – Hobbiton (at Matamata). Gisborne, Napier and Hastings on the east coast of the North Island also have a rich scenic offering lying near much of the country’s unspoilt forests and countless beaches. Further south lies the inland city of Whanganui not far from the west coast, while Motueka and Nelson in Tasman province hold a reputation for some of the best weather you’ll in New Zealand, close to the picturesque Marlborough Sounds and the rugged west coast and Southern Alps. Key attractions – further information and to follow up To find out what to do in the Bay of Plenty check out this excellent site www.bayofplentynz.com/things-to-do For information on the other kiwifruit growing locations – search out some great places to see and things to do at www.newzealand.com/int/ 8
Worker welfare
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SEASONAL WORKERS
Employee • the wage or salary payable
A prospective employee will need • a plain explanation of how to help
the following before approaching an resolve employment relationship
employer for work: problems, including advice that
personal grievances must be raised
• a valid work visa for New Zealand or
within 90 days
evidence of residency
• a statement that the employee will
• a copy of their passport (non-NZ
get (at least) time-and-a-half for
residents) or other identification
working on a public holiday
• an IRD (tax) number
• any other matters agreed on such as
(go to www.ird.govt.nz/how-
trials or probationary agreements
to/irdnumbers/individuals/
yourirdnumber.html to apply for one) • the nature of the employment –
whether it is fixed-term, seasonal or
• a New Zealand bank account.
permanent.
The employer The employee must be encouraged and
able to seek advice on the contents of
Employers must provide every
the agreement before signing.
employee with an employment
agreement including: Employees should make sure
they receive a copy of the signed
• the names of the employer and
employment agreement for their
employee
records. They will need it in the event
• a description of the work to be of any dispute.
performed
• an indication of the place of work
• the hours of work or an indication
of the hours of work (the agreement
must set the maximum number of
ordinary weekly hours)
9
Worker welfare (CONTINUED)
Minimum wage entitlement Payslips
From 1 April 2019, the minimum wage Payslips verify that employees
in NZ is $17.70 per hour, before tax. and employers have the same
This rate applies to all employees aged understanding of how the employee’s
16 or over, who are either full-time, pay is made up. Employees are
part-time, fixed-term and/or seasonal, entitled to request wage and time
working from home and paid by wages, records from their employer showing
salary, commission or piece rates. the pay rate, hours worked, any
deductions and how the employee was
Work breaks paid. Employees should make sure
they sign their timesheets indicating
Employees are entitled to unpaid meal
agreement on the hours worked.
breaks (30 minutes) and paid rest
breaks (normally 10-15 minutes) that
Tax
are appropriate given the length of
the working day or shift, and that give Income earned in New Zealand will
employees a reasonable opportunity to have tax deducted through the Pay As
rest, to eat and drink and to deal with You Earn (PAYE) system, as well as an
personal matters. Accident Compensation Commission
(ACC) levy which goes towards New
Health & Safety Zealand’s insurance scheme for
covering any costs involved when an
While the level of workplace hazards is
employee is injured.
very low in most kiwifruit operations,
health & safety is still given a high Your employer is not allowed to make
priority, particularly in the packhouses any other deductions from your pay
where machinery is involved. without your signed permission.
All employees must be advised of
health & safety risks and protected
from them through training and
provision of personal protective
equipment (PPE) where required.
10Worker welfare (CONTINUED)
Assistance
In the event of a dispute in the • Crimestoppers – for issues relating
workplace, employees can contact the to immigration fraud or worker
following agencies for help: exploitation; tel. 0800 55 111
• Employment New Zealand – • Citizens Advice Bureau – can be
will provide free employment contacted for a range of advice on
information but not assistance issues affecting workers;
in interpreting employment www.cab.org.nz
agreements, legal matters or
• New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc.;
personal grievances; tel. 0800 209
nzkgi.org.nz or 0800 232 505
020; www.employment.govt.nz
The kiwifruit industry is working to
• Labour inspectors – able to assist
ensure that all workers are treated
in investigating breaches of laws
well by their employers. If you have
relating to minimum employment
any feedback on your experience in
conditions (e.g. holidays owed and
the kiwifruit industry or issues with
pay); tel. 0800 209 020 (employment
your employer, please contact NZKGI
complaints) or 0800 030 040 (health
(0800 232 505) to provide confidential
and safety complaints).
feedback. We will use this information
www.employment.govt.nz/resolving-
to improve the industry.
problems/steps-to-resolve/labour-
inspectorate/
• Employment Relations Authority
(ERA) – an independent organisation
that helps resolve employment
relationship issues; tel. 09 970 1550;
www.era.govt.nz
11Choosing an Important considerations
employer Where to stay People planning to travel to the Bay of
Plenty for seasonal work are advised
Seasonal workers coming from
Checklist to organise their accommodation well
outside the BOP to take up kiwifruit
in advance as many accommodation
When choosing an employer in industry jobs will likely require local
providers get booked out quickly.
the kiwifruit industry, workers are accommodation which is provided in a
encouraged to query the following: number of ways: Some accommodation is also available
at the orchard and packhouse sites for
• confirmation that the employer is an • backpacker hostels
a very reasonable nightly fee.
approved contractor* • rented accommodation
A guide to low-cost accommodation
• what the pay rate is and whether it • accommodation attached to options in the Bay of Plenty and other
is a fixed hourly rate or a piece rate packhouse and orcharding operations kiwifruit locations can be found at
• if it is a piece rate, ask for that to https://bit.ly/2BHh6wp
• holiday parks.
be explained as an average hourly
rate Freedom camping is an acceptable Getting around
option but there are restrictions on
• how often you will be paid and Depending on where the work is
how long freedom campers can stay at
whether you will receive a payslip located, seasonal workers may also
one place and expectations from the
automatically require some form of transport while
community that freedom campers act
working in the industry in the Bay of
• if the payrate includes or excludes responsibly in terms of their rubbish
Plenty.
8% holiday pay and how that is paid, disposal and general behaviour.
i.e. as part of the regular payslip or Most will have their own vehicles, but
For more information on freedom
at the conclusion of the work period many employers provide transport
camping in New Zealand, go to
to get groups of their workers to the
• what systems are used for notifying www.govt.nz/browse/recreation-and-
orchards or packhouses.
work requirements and how much the-environment/freedom-camping/
notice is provided if work is not
available
• if workers are paid for travelling
between orchards
• whether transport or
accommodation is provided.
* A list of approved contractors can be
found at https://bit.ly/2NeFdHd
12In their own words
TESTIMONIALS
New Zealand has beautiful nature We are a group of German backpackers I work at Apata Packhouse in Katikati,
and nice people. Te Puke is very nice. working in the orchards around Te preparing documentation for kiwifruit
It’s close to the beach at Papamoa and Puke and I can definitely recommend and avocado packs, mostly our
you can also go for hikes after work in coming to work here. organically grown fruit.
the bush.
It’s really idyllic. Really quiet and I enjoy the challenge of understanding
The work is not too hard and it’s pretty close to the beach. and processing the export packing
fun. You can do a lot of different jobs requirements and protocols for the
You can enjoy the time where you will
– like bud-thinning, flower picking and fruit.
learn a lot about kiwifruit and how to
trimming branches. It’s a nice change
handle them. Interaction with the packhouse
after Czech.
floor staff, especially the young
It was a good decision to come here.
It’s really refreshing to listen to music international backpackers, brings a
and podcasts while I work. With these Liza Hiller – Germany / 28 vibrancy to each day. You hear many
jobs you can work for a while and then different languages and see the young
take some travel around New Zealand. ones expand their English skills and
It’s very nice in New Zealand; a very enjoyment of our beautiful country.
Working in the kiwifruit industry green landscape where you can enjoy Each year there are new friendships
is a really nice experience and it’s the fresh air and the sounds of the made, some of which will be life-long.
definitely worth it. birds.
There is a small window of time for
Radim Kubik - Czech Republic / 31 It’s a nice contrast to working in the the harvest and pack-out of fruit
office. We’re with a group of Czech and we must operate in a timely and
and Germans and we enjoy working efficient way. It is rewarding knowing
together during the day and spending that in some way I have contributed
time in the evening, cooking a meal or to adding value to this vast export
going to the cinema. No stress. market.
It’s a very good job for working and Delwyn Ogilvy / 61
travelling. Very cool. I can recommend
this work.
Max Waage – Germany / 23
13In their own words
(CONTINUED)
TESTIMONIALS
I work for Apata Group where I started I am currently a student at Waikato
in the industry as a packer, moved to University working at Apata over the
grading, then worked on analysis of summer under a Callaghan Innovation
rejected fruit and as a “Kiwigreen” scholarship.
lady, which involved pest monitoring
I am interested in the use of beneficial
and foliage sample collection in the
predators and additional cover-
orchards for testing. I am working
crop planting as pest protection
towards my qualifications in Quality
alternatives to spraying. That involves
Control.
surveying growers about their organic
I enjoy the different roles I have been and conventional pest management
able to explore within the industry. techniques. My main focus is on
I like being able to meet new people organic pest control, which is
from all over the world that I get to personally very rewarding as working
work with during our busy season and sustainably for a cleaner future is
build some awesome relationships. something I’m keenly interested in.
I like the free food too!
It’s a great work environment, and this
Working in the kiwifruit sector is has been a great experience - very
rewarding because you learn so practical and mentally demanding.
much about the ins and outs of how Everyone I’ve met from my co-workers
the industry works and our export to the growers has been lovely and
and import system. And it also pays I’ve had a great time. I’ve enjoyed
my bills! being hands-on and out in the
orchards; it’s very balanced work –
Preet Kaur /19
you’re not at a desk all the time.
I think other students would love it.
Briee Lee-Mouque / 20
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