Work and play in Hawke’s Bay
Hawke’s Bay is blessed with fertile soils and a warm temperate climate making it one of New Zealand’s must-visit tourism regions.
Tourist attractions include Cape Kidnappers, Te Mata Peak, the many wineries throughout the region, rivers for fishing and swimming, and hundreds of kilometers of coastline.
Seasonal work opportunities
Winter – Pipfruit/summerfruit orchard development, grape propagation, & vegetable planting and cultivating eg. squash & onions.
Spring – Apple thinning, machine planting, and cultivation of summer crops eg. corn, squash, onions.
Summer – Summerfruit picking eg. nectarines, peaches, plums, cherries, and packing. Berry picking, apple thinning, harvesting vegetables eg. onions & squash.
Autumn – Apple harvest, kiwifruit harvest, summerfruit harvest & grape harvest. Packing fruit, particularly apples.
The work planner below provides a general idea of job demand throughout the year.
Where to stay
The region has plenty of backpacker and camping facilities, and many growers offer worker accommodation either on or off-site. Alternatively, you can take a short-term rental house.
For more information on Hawke’s Bay accommodation click here
Important information before you start
Before you start work you must sign an employment agreement with the employer. It is advised that you take a photo of the first page of the agreement showing the business name and address, and ask for a copy of the signed agreement.
Keep your own record of what days you worked, and the number of hours you worked each day. Please make sure you have an IRD number, and bank account before you start work.
Starting Seasonal Work? Here’s a guide for you!
What to see and do in Hawke’s Bay
The celebrated lifestyle of Hawke’s Bay offers a warm and sunny climate, al fresco dining, safe swimming, and surf beaches, good fishing, cafes, vineyards and wine tastings, expansive vistas, shopping, and outdoor attractions.
Hawke’s Bay has a population of about 160,000, many of which live and work in the twin cities of Hastings and Napier. Other major urban areas are Wairoa, Havelock North, Waipawa, and Waipukurau. The city of Napier is home to world-famous examples of art deco architecture, fresh local produce, and gourmet food. February boasts the Art Deco Weekend and Harvest Hawke’s Bay, just two of many events in the region.
Hastings and Havelock North have an easy blend of shops and cafes, and there are other lovely towns and beaches to explore further south in the hinterland, as well as walks and hunting in the surrounding ranges.
5 must-do activities
- Drive, walk, or bike to the top of Te Mata Peak
- Tour some of the many wineries such as Craggy Range, Mission Estate, Elephant Hill, among many others
- Do the walking Art Deco Tour in Napier
- Visit the gannets at Cape Kidnappers
- Explore Lake Waikaremoana
Click here for more tourist information.