Kiwifruit picking in New Zealand: what it's really like

Te Puke proudly calls itself the "kiwifruit capital of the world". It lies in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island, and every autumn (in the southern hemisphere, March to June) thousands of backpackers from all over the world come here. I joined them. Kiwifruit picking was my first big job in New Zealand, and this is what it was like.

Kiwi or kiwifruit?

In New Zealand a "kiwi" is above all a bird, the national symbol, and the nickname for New Zealanders. The fruit is called kiwifruit. Both green (Hayward) and gold (SunGold) are grown; the gold is picked earlier and is sweeter.

What a working day looks like

In the morning you meet in the orchard between rows of kiwifruit. The pergolas are low, so you spend all day with your head among the leaves. You wear a picking bag, into which you pick the fruit with both hands. When the bag is full, you empty it carefully into a large bin. The fruit mustn't be damaged or dropped: every bruised kiwifruit is thrown out at the packhouse.

You work in teams. As soon as a bin is full, a tractor takes it away and you move to the next row. The day's length depends on the weather: there's no picking in the rain, because wet kiwifruit spoil. That also means you don't earn in rainy weeks.

Orchard or packhouse?

• Picking in the orchard: outdoors, physically hard, often piece rate. Ideal if you want to move and be outside.
• Packhouse: sorting and packing kiwifruit in big sheds. Shifts are often long (up to 12 hours) and often at night, but the work doesn't depend on the weather.

I tried both and was happier outside. The packhouse gives steadier earnings, though.

What you'll earn

You're paid an hourly wage, at least the legal minimum wage, or a piece rate per bin. In good weeks you can earn decently, in rainy ones little. The season lasts about three months, and many people fund the rest of their travels from it. More about wages in general in working in New Zealand.

Accommodation in Te Puke

In the season, accommodation in and around Te Puke is scarce. Look well ahead: working hostels, shared houses, campsites, or sleeping in your car (if you have a self-contained car). Some orchards offer accommodation right on the farm.

Free time in the Bay of Plenty

After work I went to the beach at Mount Maunganui and up Mauao, with its view of the whole coast. At weekends, to Rotorua for the hot springs, or to waterfalls. The Bay of Plenty is one of the sunniest places in New Zealand.

After the harvest I stayed on in the orchard through the winter: what off-season work involves, I write about in working in a kiwifruit orchard.

Faq