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Jobs in Whanganui - Manawatu
Named after the two significant catchments of the Manawatu River and the Whanganui river, this central North Island region encompasses a wide area and includes a large proportion of its pastoral land.
The Whanganui to the north and west is the country’s longest navigable river. The Manawatu in the south east creates a large fertile plain and runs through the largest city, Palmerston North (population 80,000). Palmerston North is about seven hour’s drive from Auckland and two hours from Wellington.
Palmerston North is a key university city, noted for its agricultural faculty, in a rich farming district.
The Whanganui - Manawatu region was home to an estimated 5.0 per cent of the national population in the year ended June 2018, provided 4.6 per cent of national employment and contributed 3.8 per cent to national GDP.
[Source: Statistics New Zealand data, 2018].
Whanganui-Manawatu Seasonal work
Looking for more general employment information?
The Manawatu River in the southeast of the region creates a large fertile plain where the agriculture, horticulture, and forestry industries are thriving.
There are plenty of seasonal opportunities in agriculture and horticulture, mainly centred around vegetable-growing.
Manawatū-Whanganui grows a large percentage of the country’s asparagus, lettuce, brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower), and root vegetables (carrots & potatoes).
Whanganui-Manawatu Seasonal Work Calendar.
| When | What | Jobs | Find Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun - Aug (also year round) | Vineyard Workers (Horowhenua) | 100+ | Pick NZ , BackpackerBoard |
| Jun - Oct | Winter hospitality | 500 | RestaurantNZ, Go with Tourism, BackpackerBoard, Barcats |
| Jun - Oct (Year Round) | Potato harvesting | <500 | Pick NZ , BackpackerBoard |
| Year Round | Potato grading | <500 | Pick NZ , BackpackerBoard |
| Year Round | Lettuce harvesting | 100+ | Pick NZ |
| Sep - Dec | Asparagus harvesting | <5,000 | Pick NZ |
| Jan - Oct | Carrot Harvesting | 500 | Pick NZ |
| Year Round | Brassica harvest (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) | 500 | Pick NZ |
| Nov - Jan | Berry picking (Whanganui) | 100+ | Pick NZ |
| Aug - Oct | Dairy – Calf rearing | 5,000 | NZ Farm source |
| Aug - Apr | Milk harvesting | 5,000 | NZ Farm Source , Go Dairy |
| June - Oct (apply by Jan) | Ski resort - specialised (qualifications needed) | <100 | Snow Season Central |
| June - Oct (apply by Jan) | Ski resort - attendant | 100 | Snow Season Central |
| June - Oct (apply by Jan) | Ski resort - hospitality | 100 | Snow Season Central |
| December - February | Summer Hospitality | 1,000 | RestaurantNZ, Go with Tourism, BackpackerBoard, Barcats |
| Year Round | Meatworks – processing | 2,500 | Meat Your Career |
| Year Round | Forestry | 1,000 | Forestry Careers |
Job vacancies in Whanganui - Manawatu
Trade Me Jobs - lists a large number of jobs in Whanganui - Manawatu.
Seek - New Zealand's largest general job website.
Work and Income - jobs available in Whanganui - Manawatu 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
Central Economic Development Agency - the economic development agency for Manawatu.
Whanganui Economic Development Centre - Whanganui's economic development agency.
Manawatu Chamber of Commerce - supports local businesses by offering advice, consultancy, training and networking opportunities.
Whanganui Chamber of Commerce - supports businesses in the Whanganui area.
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 centres match volunteers looking for volunteering roles with organisations looking for specific skills, and offers free to low-cost training for volunteers.