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Jobs in the Bay of Plenty
The region's biggest employers are in the dairy, meat and other food cultivation sectors along with tourism, wood, freight logistics and kiwifruit.
One of the main economic drivers across the Bay of Plenty is tourism. Tauranga has an additional focus on horticulture, shipping, and retirement/lifestyle whereas Rotorua has a focus on agribusiness, forestry and wood processing, and geothermal energy. The regional organisation tasked with managing future growth is targeting aquaculture, wood, energy, freight logistics, and ICT.
With an estimated 6.3 per cent of the national population (in the year ending June 2018), Bay of Plenty provided 5.8 per cent of national employment and 5.6 per cent of the national GDP.
[Source: Statistics New Zealand data, 2018].
Bay of Plenty Seasonal Work
(c) NZKGI
Looking for more general employment information?
There’s a variety of agricultural, lifestyle, transport, and service industries in the well-named Bay of Plenty due to its excellent growing conditions and attractive coastline.
Tourism is one of the main economic drivers, but there are thousands of horticulture businesses looking for seasonal support, with kiwifruit, avocado, and dairy dominating the market.
Tauranga has a distinct market for shipping/freight and retirement/lifestyle, while Rotorua focuses on forestry, energy, and agribusiness.
Bay of Plenty Seasonal work Calendar
| When | What | Jobs | Find Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| March - August | Kiwifruit harvest + packing | 20,000+ | Pick NZ, Kiwifruit Jobs NZ |
| May - October | Macadamia harvesting | 2,000+ | Pick NZ |
| June - January | Lemon picking and packing | 5,000+ | Pick NZ |
| August - October | Dairy – Calf rearing | 2,500 | NZ Farm source |
| August - April | Milk harvesting | 1,000+ | NZ Farm source, GoDairy |
| September - April | Avocado picking and packing | TBA | Pick NZ |
| November - March | Tourism Activity & Outdoor Guides | 500+ | Seek, TradeMe Jobs Backpacker board |
| November - March | Tourism Water Sports & Boat Crew | 250+ | Seek TradeMe Jobs Backpacker board |
| December - March | Blueberry picking and packing | 1,000+ | Pick NZ |
| Year round | Meatworks – processing | 1,000+ | Meat Your Career |
| Year round | Forestry - Harvesting, Processing | 1,700 | ForestryCareers |
| Year round | Hospitality (F&B, Baristas, Chefs etc.) | 3,000+ | Seek, TradeMe Jobs Backpacker board |
| Year round | Accommodation Staff | 2,500+ | Seek, TradeMe Jobs, Backpacker board |
| October - December | Kiwifruit summer pruning | 10,000+ | Pick NZ, Kiwifruit Jobs NZ |
| June - September | Forestry - Sawmilling | 1,200 | ForestryCareers |
Job vacancies in the Bay of Plenty region
Trade Me Jobs - lists a large number of jobs in the Bay of Plenty.
Seek - New Zealand's largest general job website.
Work and Income - jobs available in the Bay of Plenty for Job Seekers.
careers.govt.nz - lists recruitment companies in New Zealand.
Newspapers
Most local newspapers publish jobs available in the area in the Situations Vacant column.
Job search help
New Kiwi Career Success - a three day training course and follow-up workshop supporting skilled migrants to develop effective job search skills.
Tips for recent migrants | careers.govt.nz - a free service to assist with your job search and prepare you for employment in the local labour market.
Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) - a government department helping to find employment for residents or those with a valid work permit.
Business networking organisations
Bay of Connections - the regional growth strategy covering Taupo, Rotorua, Western Bay of Plenty and Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Priority One - supports local businesses in the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty area.
Business in Rotorua - supports business and investment in Rotorua.
Venus Network- a business network for women
Pacific Business Trust - Assists Pacific Island business owners take advantage of opportunities available. Helps with financial advice, networks, etc.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to gain work experience, meet new people, learn about your community, and improve your English skills.
Citizen's Advice Bureau Rotorua may be able to help you find suitable volunteering opportunities, and provide you with the latest edition of the "Rotorua Volunteering Guide".
Volunteering Bay of Plenty matches volunteers looking for volunteering roles with organisations looking for specific skills, and offers free to low-cost training for volunteers.