Farm & Seasonal Work in Hawke's Bay
North Island
Hawke's Bay is apple country, and the season is long: thinning from November to January, picking from February to April, and packhouses running well beyond that. Hastings and Napier sit at the centre, with orchards and vineyards within biking distance of town.
Vintage overlaps the apple harvest from February to April, and summer stonefruit fills the earlier months, so late summer is peak demand — arrive a couple of weeks early to lock in the good jobs and beds.
What’s hiring when
- November – JanuaryApple and stonefruit thinning
- December – FebruarySummer stonefruit harvest
- February – AprilApple picking and packhouses
- February – AprilGrape harvest and cellar work
Exact dates shift with the weather each year — see the seasonal work calendar for the nationwide picture.
Employers in Hawke's Bay
No reviewed employers here yet. Worked in Hawke's Bay? Share your experience and put it on the map.
Job listings in Hawke's Bay
No active listings right now — new jobs are posted as the season moves. Browse all current listings.
Before you commit
- Questions to ask before accepting farm work — pay basis, accommodation deductions, hours.
- Your work rights in NZ — the minimums every employer must meet, whatever your visa.
- How to spot dodgy employers — red flags to check before you travel to a job.