pickapicker.co.nz | helping employers contact seasonal workers

The nature of seasonal work varies every season and from region to region.
Horticultural businesses rely heavily on both local and visiting seasonal workers.
We help both sides to get in contact with each other.

You are an orchard, or a packhouse or a farm needing seasonal workers. How can pickapicker.co.nz help?

Simply register with us. We have a short video showing you quickly how to use our services:






We welcome your feedback!


If you know of seasonal employers we can assist, contact us to let us know.

Great times!
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Are you a seasonal employer looking for staff?
Do you provide accommodation?
Are you interested in seasonal work?

Register with pickapicker.co.nz to make the most of our services!

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Holiday job-seekers up 13%

By Hamish McNeilly, on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 | Otago Daily Times

The number of young people applying for working holiday schemes is rising and is set to provide an increasing supply of labour for the agriculture, horticulture and viticulture industries
Figures released to the Otago Daily Times from the Department of Labour show more than 40,000 working holiday-makers applied to visit the country for the 2008-09 year, a 13% increase from the previous year.
New Zealand Summerfruit chairman Gary Bennetts, of Roxburgh, said working holiday-makers were a valuable asset for the burgeoning Central Otago summer fruit and vineyard industries.
"It is not a career option; it is very much seasonal work.
But these holiday-makers come here, pick for two weeks and earn as much as they can.
They are very important to us."
A decline in the number of working holiday-makers several years ago resulted in some fruit not being picked and he welcomed any increase in numbers, Mr Bennetts said.
45 South general manager Tim Jones, of Cromwell, said like other picking, packing and exporting operations, the cherry and apricot business struggled when the number of working holiday-makers declined.
"They are hugely important. They are good workers who are motivated to earn as much as they can and they tend to spend their money in our area."
The increase in working holiday-makers could be attributed to several new countries entering the scheme, including Brazil (302 applications), China (660), Latvia (21) and Poland (12).
The largest number of working holiday-makers came from the United Kingdom, with 10,386 applications received, compared with 9658 the previous year.
The next largest number was from Germany, with 6748 applications, up from 5998 the previous year.
Other notable countries include France 2689 (up from 1907), the United States 2618 (up from 2220) and Ireland 2383 (up from 1928).
The largest decreases were recorded from Japan, with 2009 applications, down from 2378 the year before and 2050 for 2006-2007.
Working holiday-makers were encouraged to work in the agriculture, horticulture and viticulture industries, and people who worked in those areas for three months could obtain an extra three-month stay in New Zealand.

What is in store for me if i want to travel and work in New Zealand?

Hi !...in the last few weeks I have received questions about what to expect or where to start your journey in NZ.
I'll post here what has been my experience including my suggestions. For those who have a useful input please let us know your thoughts.
For those who want to know more...just ask!, we are happy to help.

Q: Hi, Could you please provide us a timetable of the different harvest during the year ? Cheers (Nico Durandet)

A: The whole process basically goes like this:

1- Branch thinning & pruning (6 months prior to next harvest)

2- Fruit thinning (2 or 3 months prior to next harvest)

3- Harvest & Packing

With the harvest following this schedule - add 2 more months for packing- (ithis schedule varies slightly depending on the weather)

November � February (Otago, mainly cherries)

February � May (Hawkes Bay, Nelson, Marlborough mainly apples -Otago in much smaller scale-)

May � June (Northland, Bay of Plenty, mainly kiwifruit, citruses and avocados - Hawkes Bay in much smaller scale - )

After harvest orchards usully take about 2 or 3 weeks off and then start with tree pruning.
We hope you find this information useful.

We appreciate your support:Click here to order our t-shirt!


Alternatively you can CONTACT US using our main site.

By registering with us you will be able to:

* Plan your trip around New Zealand, indicating the regions of New Zealand where you want to work and visit.

* Include your skills and specify if you need accommodation. Several of our registered seasonal employers can provide you with accommodation.

* Contact seasonal employers and apply for seasonal jobs available in different regions of New Zealand: fruit picking jobs, fruit packing jobs, viticulture jobs, you name it!

* Contact accommodation providers (Hostels & Backpackers) to request their services.

Bookmark our blog as we will update it with seasonal work news frequently.

Regards,

Eduardo Perez
pickapicker.co.nz

The No.1 link between Seasonal Workers and New Zealand's Horticultural Industry.

Is seasonal work right for me? DO I need to be physically fit?

It is very common to hear from people looking for seasonal jobs 'I will do anything for work'.

Seasonal jobs, especially those related to thinning and picking require you to be fit and most important MOTIVATED.

I have seen cases where the most enthusiast of workers turns up for work the first (and last) day to never come back, either because it is too hard, it is too hot, it is too wet, etc...

If you are keen on seasonal work while in New Zealand, please check the following points in order to help you make your decision:

* You must understand that this type of work is 'seasonal', it pays to work whenever is available as you could spend several days not working because of weather conditions, or because there is a delay in harvest, etc
* Be conscious that this type of work is physically demanding, eat well and VERY IMPORTANT drink plenty of water! It can be very hot out there.
* Use a good sun block lotion and regardless of getting a bit warm, it is better to wear long sleeves and a hat.
* Become friends with other workers in the orchard as you might be able to save money sharing a car/ride
* If you have the chance to work during the weekends DO IT, who knows!...maybe next week there is no work at all!
* Make sure you understand your QC's (Quality Control) instructions.
* Be careful with the machinery that goes around the orchard.

We appreciate your support:Click here to order our t-shirt!


Alternatively you can CONTACT US using our main site.

By registering with us you will be able to:

* Plan your trip around New Zealand, indicating the regions of New Zealand where you want to work and visit.

* Include your skills and specify if you need accommodation. Several of our registered seasonal employers can provide you with accommodation.

* Contact seasonal employers and apply for seasonal jobs available in different regions of New Zealand: fruit picking jobs, fruit packing jobs, viticulture jobs, you name it!

* Contact accommodation providers (Hostels & Backpackers) to request their services.

Bookmark our blog as we will update it with seasonal work news frequently.

Regards,

Eduardo Perez
pickapicker.co.nz

The No.1 link between Seasonal Workers and New Zealand's Horticultural Industry.

How much money (a week) do you need in NZ for your normal expenses?

Labels: New Zealand working holidays, nz backpacker jobs, new zealand packing jobs, new zealand backpacker jobs, picking jobs in new zealand, pickapicker, seasonal work

NZ is a beautiful country, but it could also be an expensive one.

Basic costs change from region to region being the largest cities usually the most expensive in terms of accommodation and food.

Add on top of that the fact that YOU WILL NEED A CAR and you will end up with a balance in red if you are not wise enough to budget your expenses.

The best advice I gathered from my backpacking years around NZ is 'whenever there's a chance to work and make some extra cash DO IT !!' because you will need it.

Let us know your experience in terms of costs of living in New Zealand.

Register with pickapicker.co.nz :


* Plan your trip around New Zealand, indicating the regions of New Zealand where you want to work and visit.

* Include your skills and specify if you need accommodation. Several of our registered seasonal employers can provide you with accommodation.

* Contact seasonal employers and apply for seasonal jobs available in different regions of New Zealand: fruit picking jobs, fruit packing jobs, viticulture jobs, you name it!

* Contact accommodation providers (Hostels & Backpackers) to request their services.

Visit backpackersblog.co.nz. Bookmark our blog as we will update it with seasonal work news frequently.

Regards,

Eduardo Perez
pickapicker.co.nz

My country is not under the WHS? Can I apply for a seasonal work visa in New Zealand?

Eventhought the number of countries under the WHS has increased in the last couple of years, there are still countries whose citizens would like to travel around New Zealand and work on seasonal jobs.

To work in NZ you need a valid visa and permit as well as an IRD number, so what are your options if your country is not under the WHS scheme?

Please find some information available from the Immigration NZ Website:

Recognised Seasonal Employer Policy (RSE)

Our Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Work Policy is for temporary workers from overseas to work in the horticulture and viticulture industries.

If you are overseas, aged 18 years and over, you want to work in New Zealand's horticulture and viticulture industries, and you have a job offer from an employer whom we have approved, you may be eligible for a visa and/or permit under the Recognised Seasonal Employer Work Policy. Please note that people approved to work in New Zealand under this policy will be issued limited purpose visas and permits.

Requirements your employer must meet

* recognised seasonal employer status: we will only recognise employers who meet our requirements
* our approval to employ a number of workers (called an Agreement to Recruit).

Supplementary Seasonal Employment Policy (SSE)

The Supplementary Seasonal Employment Policy (SSE) allows people currently in New Zealand to work for employers who have been granted an SSE approval in principle.

Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Work Policy

SSE work permits may only be granted to people who are in New Zealand, and will be granted for no longer than six months.

There is a limited number of places available for workers under SSE policy. The number of places reflects the number of approved SSE Approval in Principle places. Your application cannot be approved if there are no remaining places when you apply. You may check if there are places available.

Successful SSE work permit applicants may work for any employer who holds a current SSE Approval in Principle. You can contact a Seasonal Labour Co-ordinator in the area you plan to work to help you find an employer.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for a permit under this policy if you:

* are aged 18 or over
* meet our health* and character requirements, and
* are genuine in your intention to work in New Zealand horticulture or viticulture industries
* are in New Zealand.

* Applicants who have risk factors for TB will be required to provide a Temporary X-ray Certificate if they intend to remain in New Zealand for more than six months in total. All applicants must complete a Medical and X-ray Certificate if they intend to remain in New Zealand for more than 12 months in total.

Variations of Conditions (VOC)

A Variation of Conditions allows visitors in New Zealand to undertake seasonal work for a short period in regions where a shortage of seasonal labour has been declared.

Getting a variation of conditions for seasonal work

If you are in New Zealand on a visitor permit you may apply to have the conditions of your permit varied to allow you to do seasonal work (planting, maintaining, harvesting, and packing crops) in the horticulture or viticulture industry.

You can only get a variation for this purpose once in each visit to New Zealand. The maximum time you are allowed to work is for six weeks. To get a variation to do seasonal work, you must:

* show you are a genuine visitor to New Zealand, and
* submit the appropriate form and fee.

Once you hold a variation of conditions under this policy, you may only work in a region where the Ministry of Social Development has declared a seasonal labour shortage.

Please note that Employers can only contact workers that have selected their region as a region of interest.

Please keep your details updated including your mobile phone number and regions of New Zealand where you are keen to have a seasonal work experience.

There are hundreds of thinning, picking and packing options available during the upcoming months so registering with us NOW to make the most out of it!

Register with pickapicker.co.nz :

* Plan your trip around New Zealand, indicating the regions of New Zealand where you want to work and visit.

* Include your skills and specify if you need accommodation. Several of our registered seasonal employers can provide you with accommodation.

* Contact seasonal employers and apply for seasonal jobs available in different regions of New Zealand: fruit picking jobs, fruit packing jobs, viticulture jobs, you name it!

*Contact accommodation providers (Hostels & Backpackers) to request their services.

Visit backpackersblog.co.nz. Bookmark our blog as we will update it with seasonal work news frequently.

Regards,

Eduardo Perez
pickapicker.co.nz

The No.1 link between Seasonal Workers and New Zealand's Horticultural Industry.

What is a contractor? (Horticultural Contractor)

 
A contractor is a person or company that hires workers and organize them in groups to work for the orchardists.

Therefore a contractor is the middle person, responsible for finding work for his group(s).

Contractors are responsible for paying workers their wages, while receiving a percentage from the orchardists.

Visit our blog

By registering with us you will be able to:

* Plan your trip around New Zealand, indicating the regions of New Zealand where you want to work and visit.

* Include your skills and specify if you need accommodation. Several of our registered seasonal employers can provide you with accommodation.

* Contact seasonal employers and apply for seasonal jobs available in different regions of New Zealand: fruit picking jobs, fruit packing jobs, viticulture jobs, you name it!

* Contact accommodation providers (Hostels & Backpackers) to request their services.

Bookmark our blog as we will update it with seasonal work news frequently.

Regards,

Eduardo Perez
pickapicker.co.nz

The No.1 link between Seasonal Workers and New Zealand's Horticultural Industry.

Labels: new zealand packing jobs, new zealand seasonal work, New Zealand tourism, New Zealand working holidays, nz backpacker jobs, orchard, pickapicker, picking jobs in new zealand, seasonal work