Fruit Thinning Jobs

Fruit thinning goes from late October to early December. Thinning is the removal of juvenile fruit from the trees to allow the remaining fruit to size up and ripen to our required standards. This work is done by hand. Staff need to be meticulous, physically fit and able to climb ladders.

Fruit Picking Jobs

Fruit picking is demanding physical work where you wear a harness with your stone fruit picking basket (10 kgs) or cherry bucket (5 kgs) whilst climbing up and down ladders. You will be given training on the skills needed to pick fruit at its optimum ripeness for processing. This is a critical first step in preparing the production of quality fruit for market.

Fruit Packing Jobs

Packing requires staff to be able to stand at your workstations or sorting tables for at least 8 hours per day and up to 7 days per week in the peak of the season. High levels of concentration are required to ensure that only the best quality fruit goes to market. Quality Assurance staff will monitor output to ensure standards are maintained.

During the peak summer season we hire three different types of workers.

Working Holiday Visa (WHV) Seasonal Workers

Working Holiday Visa workers work outside in the orchard and indoors in the packhouse. WHV holders wishing to apply for work must have a current visa a New Zealand bank account and Inland Revenue Department (IRD) tax number.

Kiwi Casual Workers

Kiwi workers usually come from the communities of Alexandra and Clyde but we regularly have university students that spend their summer break with us.

Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Seasonal Workers

Every season the New Zealand government approves us to employ Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Seasonal Workers. Our RSE team have been working on our orchard for many years returning year after year to spend the season with us. We are proud to have had some of our team from the beginning, some 18 years ago. As these guys retire and enjoy a well deserved break, we employing their next generation as their children are now adults and able to become part of our team here at Roberts Family Fruit.

Accommodation

We have some worker accommodation available on the orchard. Accommodation options available are huts, self-contained vehicles (campervans, RV’s and caravans) and tent sites. Everyone has access to kitchens and an ablutions block for toilets, showers and laundry.

All of our accommodation is booked on a first-come-first-served basis. It is advisable to book early if you want to stay on the orchard.

Transport

You will need to have your own transport as we are 7km’s from Alexandra and 8km’s from Clyde.

Pay

Your earnings will be paid weekly on Thursdays directly into your bank account so you must have a New Zealand bank account and a New Zealand IRD tax number. You will also require an email address to receive your Individual Employment Agreement and your payslip.