If you want short-term work in New Zealand, the New Zealand Seasonal Work Visa can open many doors. This visa route helps farms, orchards, and busy tourist places hire people when local workers are not enough. In plain, friendly language below I explain the main industries hiring seasonal staff, who can apply, how to stay safe when you look for work, and the entry steps you must check — including the NZeTA Application Form and Information About The NZeTA so you don’t miss any entry rules.
When people say New Zealand Seasonal Work Visa they usually mean short-term work options that let you come to New Zealand to do seasonal jobs. The best-known path is the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Limited Visa, which lets approved growers bring in workers for horticulture and viticulture seasons. Migrant worker usually stay for up to seven months in an 11-month period. New visa pathways that sit under employer accreditation rules are also being added to help employers hire for short peaks.
Below are the industries that commonly offer seasonal jobs. I explain what the work is like so you can decide what fits you.
This is where most seasonal jobs are. You will find work picking apples, kiwifruit, berries, stone fruit, and grapes. Tasks can be tough physically: long days bending, walking, and lifting boxes. But the work is simple to learn, and many teams are friendly and social. Employers who run large orchards often hire through the RSE scheme.
Vineyards need people for pruning in winter and harvesting in autumn. Harvest time can be intense but short — many people enjoy the teamwork and the community feel on a vineyard. If you like outdoor life and working with a small crew, this can be a good fit.
Dairy is mostly year-round, but farms sometimes need extra help for calving season, fencing, or feed work. Farm work teaches practical skills and often gives a strong routine and steady hours. Expect early starts and physical tasks.
After fields and vines come packing sheds and cool stores. These jobs are indoors, usually with set shifts. If you prefer predictable hours and less weather risk, packing and shed work are good options.
Summer and holiday seasons boost jobs in cafes, hotels, and tourist areas. Work can include servers, kitchen hands, cleaners, and front desk roles. These jobs are fast-paced and social — perfect if you like meeting people and don’t mind irregular hours.
Rules depend on the visa type. The RSE scheme mainly brings workers from Pacific countries on a limited visa and needs a job offer from a recognised employer. New seasonal visas under the Accredited Employer Work Visa framework are being opened to help accredited employers hire short-term staff from more places — watch official updates for exact dates and rules.
If you’re unsure where to start, check the official NZeTA Application Form page and read Information About The NZeTA so you know if you need an electronic travel authority for entry, or a different visa. That avoids last-minute problems at the border.
Pay varies by job, region and employer. New Zealand has minimum wage laws and employment standards that apply to seasonal workers. Some work is paid by the hour, and some is paid by piece-rate (for example, per box of fruit picked). Approved seasonal employer schemes must follow workplace and health rules and often help with travel and insurance. Always ask in writing about pay, accommodation, transport and any fees before you accept a job.
New seasonal visa options (like the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and the Peak Seasonal Visa) will be open from 8 December 2025 under the Accredited Employer Work Visa rules. These new options aim to let accredited employers bring in short-term help while keeping rules fair. If you plan travel, check official updates so you apply to the right visa.
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