Career story
Orchard manager
Kris Robb
Highlight of the job
"I like that my job is outside most of the time and that I meet a wide range of people."
Income range
$45,000, plus a percentage of the orchard profits.
Pathway
College: Logan Park High School, Dunedin. Year 13 subjects: PE, statistics, English, chemistry, biology.
Working as an orchard manager means Kris Robb is well used to the seasonal changes of South Island weather. His work requires him to be outside year-round, with tree pruning in winter, fruit thinning in spring and harvesting during the summer. Harvest is the most satisfying time for Kris.
"I like the challenge of being dictated to by the weather," he says. "You have to be a practical person and be able to think on your feet. I don't think fruit growing is a science, it's more of an art. There is no manual to say this is how you do things, so you have to be flexible."
Despite growing up in the city, Kris says he enjoys the rural lifestyle, working outside and meeting people. Most importantly, he likes how his job allows him to continue learning.
"The job and technology constantly evolve. You are always learning and if you start thinking you know everything, then things are going to turn to custard on you.
"I get a huge amount of satisfaction going down to the packhouse when they are packing our fruit. I enjoy watching it go through when there is a low reject rate and it's looking good in the boxes."
How Kris became an orchard manager
- Had a casual summer job picking fruit in an orchard in Otago for eight weeks - and stayed for two and a half years.
- While working at the orchard he completed a number of papers through the Horticulture ITO.
- Later he completed a Bachelor of Commerce and majored in management, while still working picking fruit during summers.
- Was offered a full-time job as a supervisor at the orchard after finishing his degree.
- Completed higher-level papers through the Horticulture ITO and Open Polytechnic, and moved into orchard management.
