FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

 

The core industries we’re involved with are:

  • Horticulture (with particular involvement in pip fruit and stone fruit orchards, and nurseries)
  • Viticulture (working with vineyards and wineries)
  • Arable farming / agronomy (such as cereals, vegetables, pulses, and seeds)

Great question. It’s because we are structured as a ‘cooperative’, rather than a typical business. A cooperative is a member-owned and controlled business. That means we work together on collective goals and needs, rather than having a focus on maximising profit. (In our case, our members are growers and nurseries from around New Zealand).

That’s the short answer. To find out more, please check out our About page.

We’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to our CEO, Craig Erasmus for a no-obligation chat. Drop us a line via the Contact page and Craig will get right back to you!

Any permanent team member roles are listed on our Jobs page here on our website.

Seasonal work is listed on the MSD jobs website: https://findajob.msd.govt.nz

For RSE roles, please contact our Port Vila-based team via our Contact page.

Obviously this changes a bit each year, depending on the season. The following information is designed to be a rough guide only.

  • SUMMER (roughly from December – February): Cherries and other stone fruit (like apricots) are harvested. This often means work may be available picking fruit, in the packhouse, and general vineyard positions. Typically there’s higher demand for workers during January, and lower demand during February.
  • AUTUMN (roughly from March – May): This is apple and grape harvest time. Usually there is medium demand for workers over this period.
  • WINTER (roughly from June – September): The winter season means pruning is required on both orchards and vineyards. However, there is typically very low demand for workers, and experience is preferred for these roles.
  • SPRING (roughly from October – November): Later spring means we move on to orchard and vineyard thinning. There is low demand for workers over this period.

Most of the vineyards and orchards are situated out of town, so having your own transport is an advantage.

We provide specialist labour solutions for our members in the horticulture and viticulture sectors, including seasonal workforce personnel, on-site management, training and development, health and safety compliance, worker welfare support and pastoral care.

We work with our team of Kiwi and Pasifika workers to provide the labour to assist with growing and harvesting crops. To find out more, head over to our Services page.

We commit to best-practice employment standards, transparent pay and conditions, and full compliance with New Zealand labour laws and industry regulations.

Every worker is inducted, trained and supported – and our pastoral care programme ensures they are safe, motivated and effective. We also support our workers to set and achieve their own goals, whatever they may be.

We have been an active member of the NZ Ethical Employers scheme since 2007 and are committed to ethical employment performance and raising standards across our industry.

We service key growing regions around the country. Our HQ is in Alexandra, in the heart of Central Otago, and we have a major satellite office in Marlborough, an office in Canterbury, and one in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Through our own ventures, and partnerships with others, we operate across New Zealand.

We are unable to help with seasonal work unless you are currently in New Zealand. If you chose to travel to New Zealand please look at the Immigation website www.immigration.govt.nz for information on your eligibilty to obtain a temporary entry/work visa.

This will depend on the circumstances. Some growers do provide accommodation or have campsites. There can be limited spaces. It is best to check this out at the time you apply for a specific role

Like in all jobs, this is likely to be influenced by your experience, competency and skill. The minimum wage rate in New Zealand is $23.50 per hour for adult workers (as of April 1, 2025) – and will increase to $23.95 per hour (from April 1, 2026). Every grower has different pay rates and you may be paid extra depending on bucket rates, piece rates or bonuses. Again, it’s best to check this out at the time you apply for a specific role.

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