Expert Guide for Kenyan Workers Applying for Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand

Seasonal jobs in New Zealand allow Kenyan workers to earn competitive wages, gain valuable international work experience, and enjoy the country's stunning environment. These roles exist because certain industries experience significant demand spikes at specific times of year, especially during harvest months, summer tourism peaks, seafood processing periods, and the winter ski season.

The most active industries include horticulture, agriculture, tourism, hospitality, seafood, and winter resort operations. Before applying, it is important to understand the available job types, visa requirements, typical pay, working hours, and accommodation options. This guide explains every key detail for 2025 applicants.

What Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand Entail

● Definition of Seasonal Work

Seasonal work refers to short-term roles tied directly to the cycles of nature, tourism patterns, or agricultural production. These roles are common in orchards, vineyards, dairy farms, seafood factories, hotels, cafés, and ski resorts. Contracts may last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on crop maturity, weather conditions, and market demand. Workers may move between regions as seasons change, especially in horticulture, which has staggered harvests across the country.

● Typical Job Settings

Most seasonal workers are based outdoors in farms and orchards, where the work involves standing, bending, lifting, and working in varying weather conditions. Others operate indoors in packing sheds, hotels, restaurants, and seafood processing facilities, where the environment may be colder and more structured. Winter roles are centred on ski fields and alpine lodges, where staff assist with lift operations, guest services, equipment rental, and snow-related activities.

Most Popular Seasonal Job Types in New Zealand

● Fruit and Vegetable Picking

Fruit picking involves harvesting apples, grapes, kiwifruit, berries, and vegetables, followed by sorting and packing them for export. The busiest months are from late summer through early autumn. Although this job requires stamina and careful attention to quality, it is accessible even to beginners with no prior agricultural experience.

● Farm Work

Farm roles typically involve assisting with dairy operations, feeding livestock, maintaining equipment, helping during lambing season, or supporting shearing activities. These roles tend to offer slightly higher wages because they require strength, long hours, and a willingness to work in rural settings with early morning or late-evening shifts.

● Ski Resort Jobs

During winter, New Zealand’s ski resorts require large numbers of temporary workers to manage lift operations, assist instructors, work in rental shops, handle guest tickets, and maintain mountain lodges. Queenstown, Wanaka, and Mount Hutt experience the highest demand once the snow season opens.

● Hospitality and Tourism

Summer brings a surge of visitors, creating strong demand for hotel housekeepers, bar attendants, waitstaff, café workers, retail assistants, and tour guides. These roles are ideal for applicants with good communication skills, customer service experience, or basic hospitality training.

● Seafood Processing

Seafood factories increase production between June and September and require workers to support filleting teams, pack fish products, operate cold-room machinery, and maintain hygiene standards. The work is fast-paced and typically completed indoors.

Where Seasonal Jobs Are Located in New Zealand

● North Island Regions

The North Island offers a range of opportunities in horticulture, farm work, and hospitality. Regions such as Waikato, Rotorua, Hawke’s Bay, the Bay of Plenty, and the Coromandel regularly hire seasonal staff. Workers may find themselves picking fruit, supporting dairy operations, or helping in busy summer tourism towns along the coast.

● South Island Regions

The South Island is well known for its vineyards, attracting seasonal workers to towns such as Marlborough and Nelson. Central Otago provides major orchard and vineyard jobs, while Queenstown and Wanaka are the country’s top destinations for winter resort work. These regions rely heavily on seasonal labour to support both agricultural production and tourism activities.

● Rural Work Locations

Many horticulture and farm jobs are based in small rural towns where workers live close to orchards and livestock farms. These areas may offer simple, employer-arranged housing, and workers often form close communities because they share transport and accommodation during the season.

New Zealand Seasonal Work Visa Options and Eligibility

● Seasonal Work Visa Requirements

To qualify for a seasonal work visa, applicants must meet several immigration requirements. They need to be at least 18 years old, possess a valid passport, and hold a confirmed job offer from an employer recognised by Immigration New Zealand. Applicants are also required to meet health and character standards, carry valid travel insurance, and demonstrate the intention to return home once the visa expires. For some roles, workers may need to show proof of funds or evidence of a booked return ticket to satisfy immigration rules.

● Restrictions for Seasonal Visas

Seasonal visas generally do not allow dependents, meaning applicants cannot bring children or spouses under this visa type. Additionally, certain roles may have regional limitations or specific employer accreditation requirements.

More Visa Pathways to New Zealand 

Apart from the standard seasonal work visa, applicants may explore other visa pathways depending on their eligibility. The Working Holiday Visa allows young travellers from eligible countries to work temporarily while exploring New Zealand, although it is not currently open to Kenyan citizens. The Green List Seasonal Visa (GWSV) supports workers in approved sectors facing ongoing shortages, while the Primary Sector Visa (PSV) is designed for agricultural and horticultural employers accredited under Immigration New Zealand. These alternatives can be helpful for workers with specialised skills or those applying through long-term recruitment partnerships.

Pay Rates and Working Conditions in New Zealand

● Typical Hourly Rates

Most entry-level seasonal roles, such as fruit picking, packing, and hospitality, pay between NZD 23 and NZD 25 per hour, which aligns with New Zealand’s minimum wage structure for 2025. More skilled or physically intensive roles, such as dairy farm support or machinery handling, may offer between NZD 25 and NZD 30 per hour. Workers who perform exceptionally under productivity-based systems, such as piece-rate picking, often earn higher amounts depending on speed and output.

● Payment Structures

Employers may pay workers through hourly wages, contract payments, or piece rates. Productivity-based work can be financially rewarding for fast and efficient pickers, though it requires discipline and stamina.

● Work Hours and Environment

Seasonal workers generally complete between 30 and 60 hours per week, depending on weather conditions and industry needs. Outdoor roles require strong physical fitness, good sun protection, and appropriate safety gear such as gloves, hats, and work boots.

Best Months and Regions for New Zealand’s Seasonal Work

● Peak Work Periods

Seasonal work follows clear annual patterns. During summer and autumn, most orchard and vineyard jobs become available, alongside a surge in hospitality roles as tourists arrive. Winter brings a different type of demand, especially at ski fields, snow resorts, and seafood factories that expand production during the colder months. Workers who are flexible with travel can move between regions as one season ends and another begins, maximising earning opportunities throughout the year.

● Major Employment Regions

Horticulture roles are concentrated in areas such as Hawke’s Bay, the Bay of Plenty, Nelson, Marlborough, and Central Otago, which depend heavily on temporary staff during harvest periods. Tourism-related work is strongest in Queenstown, Rotorua, Taupō, Auckland, Paihia, and Te Anau, where visitor numbers increase significantly in summer. These regions offer consistent seasonal opportunities and attract large numbers of international workers each year.

Accommodation and Living Costs in New Zealand

● Housing Options

Seasonal workers typically live in shared employer-provided houses, backpacker-style hostels, holiday parks, or worker lodges close to job locations. Costs vary depending on the region but generally range from NZD 100 to NZD 150 per week per person. Employer-provided accommodation is often convenient, as it reduces transport needs and places workers near orchards or processing facilities. However, workers should always request photos or conduct virtual inspections to ensure the housing meets acceptable standards.

● Managing Expenses

The cost of living can be managed by cooking at home, sharing transport with colleagues, buying groceries in bulk, and selecting job locations close to shops and public transport. These small adjustments help workers save more from their weekly wages.

How Victoria Visa Consultancy Supports Kenyan Applicants

● Visa and Documentation Support

We help applicants identify the right visa pathway, prepare documentation, and meet Immigration New Zealand’s requirements to avoid delays or rejections.

● Employer and Job Matching Guidance

Our team connects workers with reputable employers, verifies job offers, and advises on the regions with the strongest demand for seasonal labour.

● Pre-departure Preparation

We guide applicants on accommodation options, expected living expenses, working environments, and essential items to pack before travelling.

Ready to Learn and Earn? Contact Us!

Seasonal work in New Zealand opens the door for Kenyan workers to earn well, learn new skills, and experience life in a new country. If you are ready to apply, book a consultation with Victoria Visa Consultancy today. We will support your job search, assist with your visa process, and prepare you for a successful journey. 

Click HERE to get started.