Orchard Development Worker

Join a progressive, family-owned orchard business and help build the structures that protect and grow premium apples and gold kiwifruit across the Tasman region. This is a hands-on, full-time permanent role for someone who's experienced with similar work, confident on machinery, and happy working independently outdoors.

About the role

As part of our development team, you'll erect and maintain the support structures that underpin our orchards — hail netting, wires and cables, and pipfruit and kiwifruit trellis. You'll work both independently and alongside a small team, with a mix of machinery operation and hands-on construction.

The work follows the season: development peaks in winter and spring, summer focuses on maintaining existing infrastructure, and autumn supports harvest operations. Seasonal employment covering just the development period may be available for the right applicant.

What you'll be doing

• Erecting hail net support structures — poles, anchors, cables, wires and cloth
• Establishing new growing structures after planting — posts, wires and irrigation
• Operating orchard machinery: tractors, skid-steers, forklifts, Hydraladas, and 2.5–8t diggers with auger and post-driving attachments
• Leading and supervising a small team (1–4) when required, including work quality, timesheets and performance
• Maintaining tools and equipment, and keeping accurate daily records
• Supporting general orchard and harvest work through summer and autumn
• Following all health and safety procedures and promoting safe work practices at all times

What you'll bring

• Practical experience with hail net, orchard support structures or general fencing
• Knowledge of orchard machinery and equipment operation
• Strong mechanical ability and practical problem-solving skills
• Good communication and team-leadership skills
• Reliable attendance and flexibility around the seasonal workload
• A current New Zealand driver's licence and reliable transport to our sites
• A genuine commitment to high standards of health and safety
• The right to work permanently in New Zealand

Experience in horticulture, agriculture, farming, contracting or machinery operation — particularly digger operating — is an advantage but not essential.

What we offer

• Permanent, full-time work with an established, well-respected grower
• Varied work across the season — machinery, construction and orchard operations rather than one repetitive task
• A supportive, close-knit team and the autonomy to get on with the job
• On-the-job training and machinery upskilling
• The lifestyle of the sunny Tasman region

How to apply

If you're reliable, practical and ready to take on an important role supporting orchard protection and production, we'd love to hear from you. If you'd like to know more, contact Jason at hr@fairfieldorchards.co.nz or call 027 454 8100 for a confidential chat.

Position description Apply now

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