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Jobs in Nelson - Tasman
Nelson, the smallest of New Zealand’s regions by land area, is the urban complement to the more rural surrounding regions of Tasman and Marlborough.
At the top of the South Island, the provinces of Nelson-Tasman and Marlborough are world-renowned for their tourism and horticulture industries. Forestry, fishing and traditional farming are also highly productive.
Nelson-Tasman includes Kahurangi National Park, Golden Bay and the most of the Marlborough Sounds, providing work opportunities in a diverse range of tourism and lifestyle areas.
Nelson contributed 1.8 per cent to national GDP, provided 2.1 per cent of national employment, and was home to an estimated 1 per cent of the national population in the year ended June 2018.
[Source: Statistics New Zealand data, 2018].
Hop harvest at Thorn, Nelson NZ
Nelson-Tasman Seasonal Work
For seasonal work, tourism, fishing, horticulture and agriculture all contribute to an area of great worker demand, particularly in the New Zealand autumn months of March through June.
Nelson-Tasman is famous for hops growing, pip and stonefruit, wineries and aquaculture.
There is work available all year round, but the autumn harvest season from March until May or June is the time of greatest demand.
Nelson-Tasman Seasonal Work Calendar.
| When | What | Jobs | Find jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb - Mar | Sweetcorn picking and packing | 100+ | Pick NZ |
| Mar - Aug | Kiwifruit harvest + packing | 400 | Pick NZ, Kiwifruit Jobs NZ |
| Feb - Apr | Hop Harvesting | 250+ | Pick NZ |
| Feb - Apr | Apples and pears - harvest & packing | 1,300 | Pick NZ, Backpacker Board |
| Feb - Apr | Apples and pears- thinning | 1,000+ | Pick NZ |
| Feb - Apr | Berry picking and packing | 2,000+ | Pick NZ |
| May - Oct | Macadamia harvesting | 100+ | Pick NZ |
| Jun - Aug (also year round) | Vine Harvest/Maintenance Workers | 1,400 | Pick NZ, Backpacker Board |
| Jun - Sep | Forestry - Planting | 400+ | ForestryCareers |
| Jul | Olive picking | 100+ | Pick NZ |
| Aug - Oct | Dairy – Calf rearing | 400 | NZ Farm source |
| Aug - Dec | Dairy - Milking | 400 | NZ Farm source, GoDairy |
| Nov - Febr | Winemaking | 250+ | Wine Jobs Online |
| Nov - Mar | Hospitality staff (all areas) | 2,000 | RestaurantNZ, Seek, TradeMe Jobs Backpacker Board, Barcats |
| Nov - Mar | Tourism - Outdoor guides | 250+ | Seek, TradeMe Jobs |
| Nov - Mar | Tourism Water Sports Guides & Boat Crew | 250+ | Seek, TradeMe Jobs, Adventure Jobs |
| Nov - Mar | Meat Processing | 100+ | Meat Your Career |
| Nov - Apr | Pea harvesting | 100 | Pick NZ |
| Year Round | Forestry | 300 | ForestryCareers |
| Year Round | Fisheries + seafood processing | 3,000 | TradeMe |
| Year Round | Accommodation Staff | 1,000+ | RestaurantNZ, Go with Tourism, Backpacker Board |
| Year Round | Mussel Farming | 100 | Seek , TradeMe Jobs |
Looking for more general employment information?
Job vacancies in the Nelson - Tasman region
Trade Me Jobs - lists a large number of jobs in Nelson - Tasman.
Seek - New Zealand's largest general job website.
Work and Income - jobs available in Nelson - Tasman 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
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
EDA - the Nelson regional economic development agency.
Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce - supports local businesses by offering advice, consultancy, training and networking opportunities.
Venus Network- a business network for women
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to gain work experience, meet new people, learn about your community, and improve your English skills.
Volunteering Nelson matches volunteers looking for volunteering roles with organisations looking for specific skills, and offers free to low-cost training for volunteers.