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 2021
Contents
About the NZ kiwifruit industry 03
Working in the NZ kiwifruit industry 05
The kiwifruit world – attractions 07
Worker welfare 10
Important considerations 13
Testimonials 14
2
NORTHLAND
The New Zealand Where the industry AUCKLAND
kiwifruit industry is located
Industry snapshot
BAY OF PLENTY
The kiwifruit industry is one of
New Zealand’s horticultural WAIKATO
success stories, accounting
for over $2.7 billion in export
earnings in 2019/20 – the largest
horticultural earner and rivalling
other key primary produce
exports. LOWER NORTH ISLAND
The industry comprises of almost
2,800 growers across nearly 3,200
orchards covering nearly 13,000
hectares, which produced close TASMAN POVERTY
to 150 million trays of fruit in DISTRICT BAY
2019/20.
The industry is serviced by over
400 labour contractors and at the
height of the season, employs in HAWKE’S BAY
excess of 23,000 seasonal workers.
More than 40 packhouses process
and pack the fruit which is
distributed to markets in more PICK, PACK
than 50 countries. AND PLAY
By 2024/25, the New Zealand THE KIWIFRUIT WAY…
kiwifruit industry is expected to Find kiwifruit work in a
reach $4 billion revenue from a region that suits you!
projected 186 million trays. Use our Kiwifruit Jobs New Zealand
Facebook page to connect with
approved employers and start work
in an exciting industry.
3
Who’s who Work calendar
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc. Orchard/packhouse pressure timeline
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc. is the Activity by month
industry body which 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 kiwifruit in overseas
markets. For more on Zespri go to
www.zespri.com
Contractors
The kiwifruit industry is serviced by over
400 contractors who supply labour for the
orchards. All contractors must be approved
and are listed at industry.zespri.com
under Contractors and GAP & Grasp
Contractor List.
A list of orchard employers looking for
workers can be found at nzkgi.org.nz.
Click the Find a Kiwifruit Job Now link.
Packhouses
The industry is well-serviced by
packhouses; a list can be found at
nzkgi.org.nz. Click the Find a Kiwifruit Picking
Job Now link. Winter pruning
Summer pruning
Thinning
Packing
Re-packing
4
Working in the kiwifruit industry
Orchard work Peak work periods
There are four main times during Harvest is the peak period for
the year when workers are work in the industry. Pickers are
required for orchard work: required from mid-March to mid-
• Picking (mid-March – mid-July) July, and during that time a large
workforce is required to harvest
• Winter pruning (June – October) the huge volume of fruit on the
• Thinning (October – April) vines when it is ready.
• Summer pruning Picking is done by hand as the
(October – February). vines are set at a manageable
height; no ladders are generally
required. Picking is labour-
intensive; the picking bag can
weigh up to 20kg. Orchard work
can be interrupted by rain.
Winter pruning follows harvest and
takes place from June through to
October.
Orchard work continues at a
high level from October through
summer, with summer pruning and
other orchard maintenance tasks.
5
Working in the kiwifruit industry Pay rates
Pay rates vary depending on the
(continued)
employer and the nature of the
Packing and cool-storage Career opportunities seasonal role.
Once harvested, the kiwifruit crop The kiwifruit industry is a year- In the 2020 season, harvesting
must be processed and packed round business. Orchards require roles paid an average of $24.35
at one of the industry’s many a fair amount of maintenance per hour. Rates, however, do vary,
packhouses. outside the harvesting and packing from minimum wage to $37.50.
period to prepare the vines for the These rates can be affected
Roles within the packhouses
next season and the requirement depending on whether you are
include:
for orchard workers is high at paid hourly or on a piece rate, i.e.
• sorting and grading those times as well. a rate based on how much crop
• packing the fruit into trays you pick.
It is possible to undertake seasonal
• forklift operation work in the industry for up to Orchard maintenance roles such as
• machinery operation. 46-48 weeks a year, but there are summer pruning or thinning paid
a number of peak employment minimum wage to $20.41 per hour
Packhouse roles involve working (in 2020). Winter-pruning roles
periods such as harvesting (March
shifts of 8-12 hours and there pay higher rates once a worker has
to July), winter pruning (June to
are roles to suit a variety of been trained and has experience.
October) and summer orchard
people. Much of the work involves
maintenance (October-February). Unskilled packhouse roles such as
standing while working.
There are also opportunities to packing start from minimum wage
The minimum age to work in the plus holiday pay; more skilled
take up a full-time, permanent
industry is 16. roles in the packhouse for trained
role in the industry in horticultural
and management roles. For more and experienced workers can pay
information on careers in the up to $38 per hour. Workers who
kiwifruit industry, go to demonstrate commitment and
nzkgi.org.nz visit the aptitude have the opportunity to
Education page. take on more skilled roles.
All workers must receive the
minimum wage (from 1 April 2021
the minimum wage will be $20.00)
+8% holiday pay.
6
The kiwifruit world - attractions
Kiwifruit is grown in several and Hawke’s Bay; around
areas of New Zealand, where an Whanganui; and as far south as
excellent climate and rich soils Nelson and Motueka at the top of
produce bumper harvests. the South Island.
As well as providing excellent Northland enjoys among the
conditions for growing kiwifruit warmest weather in New Zealand,
and other crops, the kiwifruit with attractions close on both
growing regions offer great coastlines along with harbours
scenery and host a wide range of and forests to enjoy. The eastern
outdoor activities. regions of BOP and Gisborne are
No matter where you go – from famous for their high sunshine
Kerikeri in the far north to Nelson hours and world-class beaches.
at the top of the South Island – Hawke’s Bay offers cycle trails,
there are plenty of things to do beaches and vineyards.
and see. Further south, Nelson and
New Zealand offers a wide Motueka have some of the highest
range of outdoor activities for sunshine hours in New Zealand as
thrill-seekers wanting to push well as stunning national parks
themselves to others who just and water-sports.
want to relax with a swim after
working in the kiwifruit orchard Northland
all day. Often-called the “winterless
Kiwifruit is grown in eight north” of NZ, Northland boasts
regions: in the Northland areas an excellent climate and two
of Whangarei and Kerikeri; just coastlines that offer a wide range
south of Auckland near Pukekohe; of recreational activities from
around Cambridge in the central surfing to diving at the likes of the
Waikato region; on the East Cape spectacular Poor Knights Islands
near Gisborne; in the orchard- and boating in beautiful Bay of
intensive regions of the Bay of Islands. New Zealand’s early
Plenty (BOP), Waihi/Coromandel history is on show at Waitangi,
7
The kiwifruit world - attractions
(continued)
while the trip up 90 Mile Beach Waikato, Waihi and Coromandel
on the west coast to the country’s The Waikato and Waihi/
northernmost promontory Cape Coromandel are among New
Reinga is well worth taking. Zealand’s richest agricultural
Auckland regions, with kiwifruit featuring
around Cambridge and Matamata
The sprawling metropolis of not far from the Waikato regional
Auckland which lies between two centre at Hamilton, as well as
large harbours – the Waitemata at Waihi and other Coromandel
and the Manukau – offers a locations. Both the Waikato and
host of big city attractions with Waihi/Coromandel are notable
world-class restaurants and for both their rural and coastal
entertainment. But visitors can scenery, excellent surf breaks
also take in the delights of the on both coasts, walks and cycle
islands in the harbour from the tracks and world-renowned
majestic Rangitoto Island to its attractions like Hobbiton near
near neighbour Waiheke and Matamata.
further out the wildlife reserve
at Little Barrier Island and the Lower North Island
bounteous attractions of Great Kiwifruit growing has also taken
Barrier Island. Auckland’s kiwifruit strong root in the lower North
industry is located to the south Island around Whanganui, which
of the city around Pukekohe, lies a relatively short trip from the
which is close to attractions on Taranaki Region and the capital
both coasts including the Hauraki city Wellington. Natural inland
Gulf on the east coast and surf and coastal scenery abounds
beaches on the west – and is not throughout the region, from
far from the tourism gem that is mountain walks and vineyards
the Coromandel Peninsula. to uncrowded beaches on both
coasts, rivers and lakes.
8
Bay of Plenty Hawke’s Bay
New Zealand largest kiwifruit Hawke’s Bay is a very popular
growing region, with around 80% destination notable for its
of the planted vines, the Bay of wineries and scenery. As
Plenty regularly attracts huge elsewhere throughout New
numbers of visitors to the scenic Zealand, there’s plenty in the
beauty of the tourist triangle region to offer tourists, from the
formed by Tauranga, Rotorua urban attractions of Napier city
and Whakatane. Tauranga and – a showcase of 1930s Art Deco
Whakatane offer the delights of architecture – to the offshore
sandy beaches, fishing, diving fishing and diving in the Bay.
and surfing, while Rotorua a short
distance inland is a gateway to Tasman District
the geothermal wonders of the Located at the top of the South
North Island’s volcanic plateau Island, the Tasman District
as well as a showcase for Maori encompasses the cities of Nelson
culture. Within the region there and Blenheim, which regularly top
is much to do, with - as elsewhere the most-sunshine records for NZ,
in NZ – many nature walks and along with the scenic attractions
sports activities like golf, under a of the Marlborough Sounds and
climate that’s hard to better. Farewell Spit. There’s plenty for
the visitor to do in the Tasman
Poverty Bay area – walking, cycling, water
Poverty Bay centres on the tourist sports including kayaking and
jewel that is Gisborne and offers just taking in the breath-taking
visitors a great climate with scenery.
plenty of activity including surfing
and diving, walking, cycling or Key attractions – further
sightseeing to notable attractions information and to follow up
like the East Cape – another kiwi For information on the other
hidden treasure with endless bays kiwifruit growing locations –
to explore. It’s also a short hop search out some great places to
to the magnificent attractions see and things to do at:
of Lake Waikaremoana and Cape www.newzealand.com/nz/
Kidnappers and the neighbouring
bay, Hawke’s Bay to the south.
9
Worker welfare
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SEASONAL WORKERS
Employee maximum number of ordinary
A prospective employee will need weekly hours)
the following before approaching • the wage or salary payable
an employer for work: • a plain explanation of how
• a valid work visa for New to help resolve employment
Zealand or evidence of residency relationship problems, including
• a copy of their passport (non-NZ advice that personal grievances
residents) or other identification must be raised within 90 days
• an IRD (tax) number (go to • a statement that the employee
ird.govt.nz choose the will get (at least) time-and-
Individuals and Families tab, IRD a-half for working on a public
numbers and then click Apply holiday
for a personal IRD) • any other matters agreed on,
• a New Zealand bank account. such as trials or probationary
agreements
The employer • the nature of the employment
Employers must provide every – whether it is fixed-term,
employee with an employment seasonal or permanent.
agreement including: The employee must be encouraged
• the names of the employer and and able to seek advice on the
employee contents of the agreement before
• a description of the work to be signing.
performed Employees should make sure
• an indication of the place of they receive a copy of the signed
work employment agreement for their
records. They will need it in the
• the hours of work or an
event of any dispute.
indication of the hours of work
(the agreement must set the
10Minimum wage entitlement training and provision of personal
From 1 April 2021, the minimum protective equipment (PPE)
wage in NZ will be $20.00 per where required.
hour, before tax. This rate applies Payslips
to all employees aged 16 or over,
who are either full-time, part- Payslips verify that employees
time, fixed-term and/or seasonal, and employers have the same
working from home and paid by understanding of how the
wages, salary, commission or employee’s pay is made up.
piece-rates. Employees are entitled to request
wage and time records from their
Work breaks employer showing the pay rate,
Employees are entitled to unpaid hours worked, any deductions
meal breaks (30 minutes) and and how the employee was paid.
paid rest breaks (normally 10-15 Employees should make sure they
minutes) that are appropriate sign their timesheets indicating
given the length of the agreement on the hours worked.
working day or shift, and that Tax
give employees a reasonable
opportunity to rest, to eat and Income earned in New Zealand
drink and to deal with personal will have tax deducted through
matters. the Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
system, as well as an Accident
Health & Safety Compensation Commission (ACC)
While the level of workplace levy which goes towards New
hazards is very low in most Zealand’s insurance scheme for
kiwifruit operations, Health & covering any costs involved when
Safety is still given a high priority, an employee is injured.
particularly in the packhouses Your employer is not allowed to
where machinery is involved. make any other deductions from
All employees must be advised your pay without your signed
of Health & Safety risks and permission.
protected from them through
11Worker welfare (continued) Choosing an employer
Assistance • Crimestoppers is for issues Checklist
In the event of a dispute in the relating to immigration fraud Workers are encouraged to query
workplace, employees can contact or worker exploitation; tel. the following:
the following agencies for help: 0800 555 111
confirmation that the
• Employment New Zealand • Citizens Advice Bureau can be employer is an approved
will provide free employment contacted for a range of advice contractor*
information but not assistance on issues affecting workers; what the pay rate is and
in interpreting employment www.cab.org.nz whether it is a fixed hourly
agreements, legal matters or • New Zealand Kiwifruit rate or a piece-rate
personal grievances; Growers Inc.; nzkgi.org.nz or if it is a piece-rate, ask for
tel. 0800 209 020; 0800 232 505 that to be explained as an
www.employment.govt.nz The kiwifruit industry is working average hourly rate
• Labour inspectors are able to to ensure that all workers are how often you will be paid
assist in investigating breaches treated well by their employers. and whether you will receive a
of laws relating to minimum If you have any feedback on payslip automatically
employment conditions (e.g. your experience in the kiwifruit if the pay rate includes or
holidays owed and pay); tel. industry or issues with your excludes 8% holiday pay and
0800 209 020 (employment employer, please contact NZKGI how that is paid, i.e. as part
complaints) or 0800 030 040 (0800 232 505). of the regular payslip or at the
(Health & Safety complaints). conclusion of the work period
Visit employment.govt.nz and go We will use this information to
help improve working conditions what systems are used for
to the Resolving Problems tab.
throughout the industry. notifying work requirements
• The Employment Relations and how much notice is
Authority is an independent provided if work is not
organisation that helps resolve available
employment relationship issues; if workers are paid for
tel. 09 970 1550; travelling between orchards
www.era.govt.nz
whether transport and/or
accommodation is provided.
* A list of approved contractors can
be found at industry.zespri.com
under Contractors and GAP and
GRASP Contractor List.
12Important considerations
Where to stay People planning to travel for
Seasonal workers taking up seasonal work are advised to
kiwifruit industry jobs will likely organise their accommodation
require local accommodation well in advance as many
which is provided in a number accommodation providers get
of ways: booked out quickly.
• backpacker hostels Some accommodation is also
available at the orchard and
• rented accommodation packhouse sites for a very
• accommodation attached to reasonable nightly fee.
packhouse and orcharding A guide to low-cost
operations accommodation options in
• holiday parks. kiwifruit locations can be found
Freedom camping is an acceptable at nzkgi.org.nz under Labour &
option but there are restrictions Education in the Find a Kiwifruit
on how long freedom campers can Job Now! tab and Backpacker
stay at one place and expectations Accommodation list.
from the community that freedom Getting around
campers act responsibly in terms
of their rubbish disposal and Depending on where the work
general behaviour. is located, seasonal workers
may also require some form of
For more information on freedom transport while working in the
camping in New Zealand, go to industry.
www.govt.nz and visit the
Recreation and the Environment Most will have their own vehicles,
tab, then choose Freedom but many employers provide
Camping. transport to get groups of their
workers to the orchards or
packhouses.
13Testimonials
New Zealand has beautiful nature I work at Apata Packhouse in I’m a lifer in the kiwifruit
and nice people. Te Puke is very Katikati, preparing documentation industry: I started as a cadet
nice. It’s close to the beach at for kiwifruit and avocado packs, and 38 years later I’m a grower,
Papamoa and you can also go for mostly our organically grown fruit. a packer and a contractor. I
hikes after work in the bush. I enjoy the challenge of thoroughly enjoy the growing
The work is not too hard and it’s understanding and processing the side. You have a rural lifestyle
pretty fun. You can do a lot of export packing requirements and and work outdoors, and there’s a
different jobs – like bud-thinning, protocols for the fruit. huge variety of work – you don’t
flower picking and trimming just pick the fruit and the rest
Interaction with the packhouse happens.
branches. It’s a nice change after floor staff, especially the young
living in the Czech Republic. international backpackers, brings Kiwifruit is a thriving industry
It’s really refreshing to listen to a vibrancy to each day. You hear with many opportunities and new
music and podcasts while I work. many different languages and developments all the time – new
With these jobs you can work for see the young ones expand their varieties, new technology. For
a while and then take some travel English skills and enjoyment of our those who do get involved it can
around New Zealand. beautiful country. Each year there become infectious – many try
are new friendships made, some it and turn it into a career. And
Working in the kiwifruit industry you get a real blend of cultures
is a really nice experience and it’s of which will be life-long.
– a real cross-section of kiwis
definitely worth it. There is a small window of time working with backpackers and RSE
Radim Kubik - Czech Republic / 33 for the harvest and pack-out of workers.
fruit and we must operate in a
timely and efficient way. It is Ours is a real family business – our
rewarding knowing that in some workers are like family and many
way I have contributed to adding have been with us for 20 years-
value to this vast export market. plus. We live, work and play on
the orchard.
Delwyn Ogilvy / 63
Sean Carnahan / 55
14I work for Apata Group where I When I first moved to Te Puke I
started in the industry as a packer, met so many people who worked
moved to grading, then worked on in the kiwifruit industry. Out of
analysis of rejected fruit and as a curiosity I joined a packhouse to
“Kiwigreen” lady, which involved see what it was all about.
pest-monitoring and foliage I wake up every morning and
sample collection in the orchards can’t wait to start work – that’s
for testing. I am working towards how much I love working in the
my qualifications in Quality industry. I’m currently training
Control. to be an orchard supervisor so
I enjoy the different roles I have my working day mainly involves
been able to explore within the organising my team to carry out
industry. I like being able to the day’s work programme. I’m
meet new people from all over also doing level 4 horticulture
the world that I get to work with studies at Toi Ohomai.
during our busy season and build The best part of working in the
some awesome relationships. kiwifruit industry is that no
I like the free food too! day is the same; every day you
Working in the kiwifruit sector is learn something new. Thanks
rewarding because you learn so to kiwifruit I’ve learnt new job
much about the ins and outs of skills, gained qualifications and
how the industry works and our worked alongside a diverse range
export and import system. And it of people. I highly recommend
also pays my bills! working in the industry because
Preet Kaur /20 there is a huge range of areas to
work in, and you can gain a lot of
different skills and qualifications
while earning a good income.
Stacey Marino / 38 (right)
15Keen to find seasonal work in the kiwifruit industry? For up-to-date information on orchard and packhouse jobs, accommodation, scenic attractions and facts and figures, check inside. Or visit our website: NZKGI.org.nz and Facebook page: KiwifruitJobsNZ
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