Farm & Seasonal Work in Otago
South Island
Central Otago is the summer jackpot: cherry picking around Cromwell, Alexandra and Roxburgh from late December through January is some of the best piece-rate money in the country, with apricots, nectarines and peaches running alongside. Apples and vineyard work carry autumn, and winter pruning keeps the valleys ticking over.
Queenstown and Wanaka run on a different clock — hospitality hires year-round, and the ski fields staff up for June to September (applications open March to May). Between the orchards and the resorts, Otago can employ you all twelve months.
2 employers · 3 reviews · 0 active jobs
What’s hiring when
- Late December – JanuaryCherry and stonefruit harvest (Cromwell, Alexandra, Roxburgh)
- February – AprilApples, grapes and vintage
- May – AugustVineyard pruning
- June – SeptemberSki season in Queenstown and Wanaka (apply early)
Exact dates shift with the weather each year — see the seasonal work calendar for the nationwide picture.
Employers in Otago
Job listings in Otago
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.