Ready to pick New Zealand’s world-famous kiwis, apples, cherries under stunning blue skies? Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Central Otago urgently hiring 5,000+ fruit pickers for 2026 harvest! Earn NZD 25-40/hour piece rates ($5,000+/month), FREE orchard camps, RSE visa sponsorship for Indians via government quota. Bend over, pick fast, earn BIG – perfect for fit workers seeking seasonal adventure + savings! This guide reveals exact piece rates, crop calendars, visa process, camp life, top orchards. Kiwifruit season March-Oct needs workers NOW – Apply now before RSE quotas fill!
Job Overview
Job Title: Fruit Picker / Harvest Worker / Kiwifruit Thinner
Location: Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Central Otago
Industry: Horticulture & Fruit Harvesting
Hiring Companies: PickNZ orchards, RSE approved growers, Zespri contractors
Job Demand: CRITICAL SHORTAGE (5,000+ visas available)
Job Responsibilities
- Pick kiwis gently into 18kg bins (target: 2 bins/hour)
- Apple/cherry selective picking (quality over quantity)
- Orchard thinning summer months
- Fruit grading/packing shed work
- Bin transport tractor runs
- Pruning winter preparation
- Camp cleaning rotation
- Early starts (6AM finish 3PM)
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit: 18-45 years
Education: No qualifications
Experience: None required (training given)
Language: Basic English safety briefings
Fitness: Bend/stretch 8+ hours daily
Salary & Benefits 🔥
| Details | Info |
|---|---|
| Piece Rate | NZD 25-40/bin |
| Hourly Guarantee | NZD 23.15 minimum |
| Duty Hours | 8-10 hours/day |
| Accommodation | FREE camps |
| Meals | Self-cook communal |
| Transport | Orchard shuttles |
| Power/Water | Included |
| RSE Visa | Government sponsored |
| Monthly Total | NZD 5,000-8,000 |
Salary Structure
| Fruit Type | Piece Rate/Bin | Bins/Hour | Hourly Earn | Monthly Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiwifruit Green | NZD 18-22 | 2-3 | $36-66 | NZD 7,500 |
| Kiwifruit Gold | NZD 22-26 | 1.5-2.5 | $33-65 | NZD 7,200 |
| Apples | NZD 25-30 | 1.5-2 | $38-60 | NZD 6,800 |
| Cherries | NZD 35-45 | 1-1.5 | $35-67 | NZD 8,000 |
Physical Requirements
| Activity | Hours/Day | Intensity | Posture Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiwifruit Picking | 6-8 | High | Bending 90° |
| Apple Ladders | 4-6 | Very High | Climbing |
| Cherry Platforms | 5-7 | High | Reaching up |
| Packing Shed | 3-4 | Medium | Standing |
| Tractor Runs | 1-2 | Low | Sitting |
Visa & Documents
RSE Visa: Recognised Seasonal Employer (7 months, renewable)
Working Holiday: Indians 18-30 eligible
Required Documents:
✓ Valid passport
✓ Police clearance
✓ Chest X-ray (TB test)
✓ Pre-departure medical
How to Apply
- PickNZ Job Board: Jobs.PickNZ.co.nz (400+ listings)
- Backpacker Board: BackpackerJobBoard.co.nz/fruit-picking
- RSE Scheme: Immigration.govt.nz/RSE
- Bay Plenty Orchards: Direct orchard websites
- WhatsApp Groups: NZ Fruit Picking 2026
👉 APPLY NOW – FOR FRUIT PICKING JOBS IN NEW ZEALAND
Important Tips for Job Seekers
- Speed picking = big money (practice bucket technique)
- Waterproof gear essential (NZ rain unpredictable)
- Shared camps 4-8 beds (respect quiet hours)
- Fast pickers promoted to tractor/packing (higher pay)
- Gold kiwifruit pays more (heavier bins)
- Summer thinning Feb-Mar highest demand
FAQs
No experience? Still pick fruit?
YES! Day 1 training, speed comes naturally
RSE visa guaranteed?
Government quota – approved orchards 100% sponsor
Camp life comfortable?
Basic but FREE (kitchen, showers, WiFi usually)
Daily earnings realistic?
NZD 200-350/day fast pickers (2+ bins/hour)
Extend beyond 7 months?
Yes AEWV conversion possible
Apply Now for this Job Opportunity
| Application Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | __________________ |
| Nationality | __________________ |
| Age | __________________ |
| Contact Number | __________________ |
| Position Applied | Fruit Picker |
| Picking Experience | __________________ |
| Physical Fitness | __________________ |
| Visa Status | __________________ |
| Start Date | __________________ |
| Signature | __________________ |
| Date | __________________ |
Conclusion
Fruit picking NZ 2026 = NZD 60K+ seasonal earnings + FREE camps + RSE visa! Bay of Plenty kiwifruit harvest urgently needs 5,000 workers. Apply TODAY PickNZ.co.nz or BackpackerJobBoard – fast hands = BIG MONEY! Live harvest adventure while saving fortune!