Position: Agricultural Worker / Farm Worker / Crop Worker / Horticultural Worker / General Farm Assistant
Employer: To Be Announced (TBA)
Country: New Zealand
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience: Entry-Level & Experienced Positions Available
Salary: From NZD $23.95 Gross Per Hour
Minimum Hours: At Least 30 Hours Per Week for Applicable AEWV Employment
Accommodation: Provided
Meals: Lunch Provided During Working Days
Healthcare: According to Applicable New Zealand Arrangements
Overtime / Additional Hours: Available Where Required
Work Visa Assistance: Provided for Eligible Candidates
Accredited Employer Work Visa Assistance: Provided for Eligible Candidates

WORK IN AGRICULTURE IN NEW ZEALAND

Applications are now open for full-time Agricultural and Farm Worker positions in New Zealand.

These opportunities are suitable for hardworking individuals interested in working within New Zealand’s agricultural, horticultural, crop-production and farming industries.

Positions may be available with farms, growers, agricultural businesses, horticultural operations, packhouses and other agricultural employers.

Potential positions include:

General Farm Worker
Agricultural Worker
Crop Worker
Horticultural Worker
Vegetable Farm Worker
Fruit Farm Worker
Greenhouse Worker
Orchard Worker
Vineyard Worker
Agricultural Packing Worker
General Farm Assistant

Entry-level opportunities may be available for candidates without extensive previous agricultural experience.

However, the exact experience and skill requirements will depend on the position, employer and applicable New Zealand immigration requirements.

Candidates should be physically capable of agricultural work and prepared to work outdoors in changing weather conditions.

AVAILABLE LOCATIONS

Agricultural employment opportunities may be available throughout New Zealand, including:

Auckland Region
Waikato
Bay of Plenty
Hawke’s Bay
Manawatū-Whanganui
Taranaki
Canterbury
Marlborough
Nelson-Tasman
Otago

Additional opportunities may become available in other agricultural areas depending on employer requirements.

The final workplace will be confirmed in the employment offer.

Applicants should be prepared to relocate to the region where employment is available.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

Agricultural Workers help farms and growers with the everyday activities required to produce, maintain, harvest, prepare and distribute agricultural products.

The exact responsibilities will depend on the type of farm.

A normal working day could involve:

Preparing agricultural areas
Planting crops
Maintaining plants
Watering
Removing weeds
Harvesting crops
Picking fruit and vegetables
Sorting produce
Checking quality
Packing agricultural products
Preparing produce for transportation
Moving boxes and containers
Cleaning work areas
Maintaining basic farm equipment
Assisting experienced farm workers
Completing general agricultural duties

Workers may perform several different tasks during the working week.

CROP PREPARATION & PLANTING

Agricultural Workers may assist with preparing land, growing areas or greenhouse facilities before crops are planted.

Responsibilities may include:

Preparing planting areas
Organising plants
Preparing trays
Moving seedlings
Planting seedlings
Planting crops
Preparing growing containers
Installing appropriate supports
Assisting with irrigation preparation
Organising agricultural materials

Employees will receive instructions from supervisors concerning the correct planting procedures.

CROP MAINTENANCE

After planting, crops require regular maintenance.

Workers may assist with:

Watering
Weeding
Removing damaged plants
Supporting growing plants
Pruning where appropriate
Monitoring plant condition
Maintaining growing areas
Clearing unwanted vegetation
Reporting signs of pests or disease
Keeping agricultural areas organised

Any pesticides, agricultural chemicals or specialist substances must only be handled by workers who have received appropriate training and authorization.

FRUIT & VEGETABLE WORK

Some positions may involve working with fruit and vegetable crops.

Depending on the farm, workers may handle products such as:

Apples
Kiwifruit
Grapes
Berries
Cherries
Stone fruit
Vegetables
Salad crops
Other locally produced agricultural products

The exact crop will depend on the employer and region.

HARVESTING

Harvesting is an important part of agricultural production.

Workers may be responsible for:

Identifying produce ready for collection
Picking fruit
Harvesting vegetables
Cutting appropriate crops
Placing produce into containers
Moving harvested products
Removing damaged produce
Following quality instructions
Preparing products for transport

Care must be taken when handling agricultural products to avoid unnecessary damage.

ORCHARD WORK

New Zealand has substantial fruit-growing industries.

Workers employed in orchards may assist with:

Plant maintenance
Tree care
Orchard cleaning
Pruning assistance
Fruit picking
Moving picking containers
Sorting fruit
Preparing fruit for packing
General orchard maintenance

Some tasks may require workers to use appropriate ladders or platforms.

All equipment must be used according to workplace safety procedures.

VINEYARD WORK

Some agricultural positions may be available within vineyards.

General responsibilities can include:

Maintaining vineyard areas
Supporting vines
Removing unwanted growth
Pruning assistance
Grape harvesting
Moving containers
Sorting grapes
General vineyard maintenance

Workers must follow the instructions of vineyard supervisors.

GREENHOUSE WORK

Greenhouse and protected-crop positions may involve working in controlled growing environments.

Typical duties can include:

Planting
Watering
Plant maintenance
Pruning
Harvesting
Sorting
Cleaning growing areas
Preparing trays
Moving plants
Packing produce

Greenhouses can become warm during the working day, and candidates should be comfortable working in these conditions.

SORTING & QUALITY CHECKING

After produce has been collected, Agricultural Workers may help separate products according to quality requirements.

Workers may:

Inspect produce
Remove damaged items
Separate products by size
Separate products by quality
Place products into appropriate containers
Prepare produce for packing
Follow employer grading instructions

Workers should be able to perform repetitive tasks accurately.

AGRICULTURAL PACKING

Some positions may involve both farm work and agricultural packing.

Responsibilities may include:

Packing fruit
Packing vegetables
Preparing boxes
Labelling products
Weighing produce
Sealing cartons
Preparing pallets
Checking packaging
Moving finished products
Preparing orders for distribution

Employees may work in farm packing facilities or dedicated packhouses.

LOADING & MOVING PRODUCTS

Agricultural Workers may help move produce and supplies around the workplace.

This can involve:

Carrying containers
Moving boxes
Moving agricultural supplies
Preparing pallets
Loading appropriate products
Unloading supplies
Moving harvested produce

Workers must follow safe manual-handling procedures.

Forklifts, tractors and other specialist machinery must only be operated by workers who have the appropriate training, licence or authorization.

GENERAL FARM DUTIES

Agricultural employment often requires flexibility.

Workers may also be asked to:

Clean agricultural areas
Clean appropriate equipment
Organise tools
Move supplies
Prepare work areas
Assist other workers
Remove waste
Maintain storage areas
Report damaged equipment
Follow supervisor instructions

The exact duties will be stated by the employer.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Agricultural work can be physically demanding.

Employees should be prepared for:

Outdoor work
Indoor packing work
Greenhouse work
Standing for extended periods
Walking
Bending
Reaching
Repetitive movements
Lifting appropriate loads
Working in warm conditions
Working in cooler conditions
Changing weather
Early starts

Some farms are located in rural areas away from major cities.

Applicants should therefore be comfortable living and working in agricultural communities.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

New Zealand agricultural workers may work outdoors in different weather conditions.

Depending on the region and time of year, this can include:

Sunshine
Rain
Wind
Cooler temperatures
Warm temperatures

Employers will determine whether work can safely continue during adverse weather.

Workers must follow workplace safety instructions.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Agricultural employers must maintain appropriate workplace health and safety standards.

Employees will be expected to:

Follow safety instructions
Wear required protective equipment
Use tools correctly
Report hazards
Report injuries
Follow machinery safety rules
Follow manual-handling procedures
Maintain clean work areas

Workers must never operate agricultural machinery they are not trained or authorised to operate.

WORKING HOURS

These are full-time positions.

For employment supported through the Accredited Employer Work Visa, the qualifying job offer must provide at least:

30 Hours of Work Per Week

Many agricultural positions may provide approximately 40 hours per week, depending on the employer, workload and employment agreement.

Working schedules may involve approximately:

8 hours per day
5 days per week

However, actual schedules will depend on farm operations.

Agricultural work may start early in the morning.

Employees may also be required to work weekends depending on operational requirements.

Exact working hours will be confirmed in the employment agreement.

SALARY

New Zealand’s adult minimum wage from 1 April 2026 is:

NZD $23.95 Gross Per Hour

At 40 hours per week, this is approximately:

NZD $958 Gross Per Week

before tax and applicable deductions.

The actual salary offered may be higher depending on:

Position
Employer
Experience
Responsibilities
Region
Skills
Working hours

The final hourly wage and guaranteed working hours will be clearly stated in the employment agreement.

Workers must receive at least the applicable legal minimum wage.

OVERTIME & ADDITIONAL HOURS

Additional working hours may be available when farms have increased operational requirements.

This can potentially provide employees with opportunities to increase their earnings.

However:

Overtime is not guaranteed.

Any additional hours must be worked and paid according to the employment agreement and applicable New Zealand employment law.

ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED

Accommodation will be arranged for successful employees under the recruitment package.

Agricultural workers may be accommodated in:

Farm accommodation
Shared houses
Shared apartments
Worker residences
Employer-arranged accommodation

Accommodation may be located on or near the farm.

Depending on the arrangement, employees may share:

Bedrooms
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Laundry facilities
Living areas

Full accommodation details will be provided before the candidate accepts employment.

Any applicable accommodation costs, utility charges or lawful deductions will be disclosed in advance.

LUNCH PROVIDED

Lunch will be provided during scheduled working days according to employer arrangements.

The exact meal arrangement will depend on the farm or agricultural employer.

Details will be explained before employment begins.

NEW ZEALAND EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

Migrant workers legally employed in New Zealand have minimum employment rights.

Employment conditions must comply with applicable New Zealand employment legislation.

Workers should receive a written employment agreement explaining important conditions such as:

Position
Wage
Guaranteed hours
Workplace
Duties
Leave
Employment conditions

Workers should carefully review their employment agreement before accepting the position.

ACCREDITED EMPLOYER WORK VISA

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand’s principal temporary employment route for many migrant workers.

For an applicant to use the AEWV route, the job must generally be offered by an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand.

The employment must be genuine and satisfy applicable immigration requirements.

The job offer must generally:

Be from an accredited employer
Be for full-time employment
Provide at least 30 hours of work per week
Be supported by the required approved job check
Meet applicable employment requirements
Meet the requirements applicable to the occupation

The employer provides the successful candidate with the information required to make the visa application.

EXPERIENCE & SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should not assume that every agricultural position automatically qualifies for an Accredited Employer Work Visa.

Immigration requirements depend on the occupation and skill level of the particular position.

Candidates may need to demonstrate relevant:

Employment experience
Skills
Qualifications
English-language ability

depending on the occupation.

The candidate must also meet any requirements specified in the employer’s approved position.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Some lower-skilled AEWV positions require applicants to demonstrate that they can speak and understand English.

Whether an English-language requirement applies depends on the skill level of the particular agricultural position.

Where required, applicants may need to satisfy Immigration New Zealand’s English-language rules through an accepted method.

Candidates will be informed of the applicable requirements once the exact position has been identified.

WORK VISA ASSISTANCE

Candidates selected by an accredited employer and eligible for an appropriate New Zealand work visa will receive assistance with the application process.

Assistance may include guidance concerning:

Employment documentation
Job offer
Employment agreement
Employer documentation
Job check information
Work experience evidence
Qualification documents where applicable
English-language evidence where required
Visa documentation
Application preparation
Supporting documents
Pre-departure requirements

Candidates remain responsible for providing genuine documentation and satisfying all Immigration New Zealand requirements.

IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION INFORMATION

Receiving a job offer does not automatically mean that a candidate will receive a New Zealand work visa.

Eligibility depends on factors including:

Employer accreditation
Approved job check
Genuine employment
Occupation
Skill level
Candidate experience
Candidate qualifications where required
English ability where required
Health
Character
Immigration history
Other applicable visa requirements

The final visa decision is made by Immigration New Zealand.

Neither an employer nor recruitment company can guarantee approval.

APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS

Candidates interested in New Zealand agricultural employment should begin by completing the online application form available on this website.

Applicants should provide complete and accurate information regarding:

Personal information
Education
Previous employment
Agricultural experience
Farm experience
Horticultural experience
Packing experience
Machinery experience
English-language ability
Current country of residence

Previous agricultural experience should be included where available.

Applications will be reviewed against available vacancies and immigration requirements.

SHORTLISTING

Submitting an application does not automatically mean the candidate has been selected.

Applications will first be reviewed.

Candidates whose experience and profile match an available position may be shortlisted.

Shortlisted candidates will then be contacted with information concerning the next stage.

INTERVIEWS

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to participate in an interview and selection process.

Depending on employer and recruitment arrangements, interviews may take place:

Online
In Asia
In the United Kingdom
At another officially designated recruitment location

The interview process may include questions concerning:

Previous employment
Agricultural experience
Physical ability to perform the work
English communication
Availability
Understanding of the position
Willingness to relocate

Some employers may conduct online interviews before inviting candidates to an in-person recruitment event.

IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION

Candidates should not purchase flights, reserve hotels or make travel arrangements simply because they have submitted an application or have been shortlisted.

Where an in-person interview is required, the candidate will receive a formal invitation containing the relevant information.

Candidates must also ensure that they are legally permitted to travel to the interview destination.

Do not make travel arrangements until formally instructed to do so.

EMPLOYMENT OFFER

Candidates successfully selected by an employer will receive formal employment information.

The employment offer or employment agreement will normally identify:

Employer
Job title
Farm or workplace
Location
Hourly wage
Guaranteed working hours
Duties
Employment conditions
Accommodation arrangements
Meal arrangements
Proposed starting date
Other applicable benefits

Candidates should carefully review the employment documentation before accepting the position.

HOW TO APPLY

COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

If you are interested in full-time agricultural employment in New Zealand, complete the application form available on this website.

Provide complete and accurate information.

Previous farm experience is useful, but entry-level candidates may also be considered for suitable positions where the employer and immigration requirements allow.

Once the application has been submitted:

PLEASE WAIT TO BE CONTACTED

Applications will be reviewed against available vacancies.

Candidates selected for the next stage will be contacted directly.

There is no need to submit multiple applications.

POSITION SUMMARY

Position: Agricultural Worker / Farm Worker / Horticultural Worker
Country: New Zealand
Employment: Full-Time
2026 Adult Minimum Wage: From NZD $23.95 Gross Per Hour
Typical Hours: Approximately 40 Hours Per Week Depending on Employer
AEWV Minimum Job Offer: At Least 30 Hours Per Week
Experience: Entry-Level & Experienced Positions
Accommodation: Provided
Lunch: Provided During Working Days
Overtime / Additional Hours: Available Where Required
Work Visa Assistance: Provided for Eligible Candidates
Employer: TBA

APPLY FOR AGRICULTURAL WORK IN NEW ZEALAND

If you are hardworking, physically capable and interested in building employment experience within New Zealand’s agricultural industry, submit your application to be considered for available opportunities.

Positions may be available in farming, horticulture, fruit and vegetable production, orchards, vineyards, greenhouses, agricultural packing and other agricultural operations.

International applicants will be assessed according to both employer requirements and New Zealand immigration eligibility.

COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM AND WAIT TO BE CONTACTED IF YOUR APPLICATION IS SHORTLISTED.

Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview, employment, employer accreditation, an approved job check or a New Zealand work visa. Final employment is subject to employer selection, a genuine vacancy, a formal employment agreement, applicable New Zealand employment and immigration requirements and approval by Immigration New Zealand. Visa eligibility varies according to the exact occupation, skill level, applicant’s experience and qualifications, employer accreditation and other individual circumstances.