There is a rhythm to apple picking. Climb the ladder, reach for the fruit, twist gently, place it in the bag, and repeat. Golden Oak Orchard, a family owned apple orchard and packhouse on the west side of Hastings, is looking for pickers for the current season running through to early May 2026. Hours are 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday, with a half day or longer on Saturdays depending on harvest conditions. The pay is an hourly base rate plus a generous bonus structure designed to reward quantity combined with quality. Most people achieve an additional $6 per hour on top of the base, with scope to earn more. You need a reasonable level of fitness, the ability to work all day in variable weather, and confidence using a ladder. No accommodation is supplied, but an adjacent bus route is available. Apply in person. Read on.
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About the Orchard
Golden Oak Orchard is a family owned operation situated approximately two kilometres from Stortford Lodge on the west side of Hastings. The business includes both an apple orchard and a packhouse. The owners treat seasonal workers fairly and reward hard work with a generous bonus system. The orchard is accessible by an adjacent bus route, though having your own transport is helpful. For backpackers on working holiday visas or locals seeking seasonal income, Golden Oak offers a straightforward, well run picking experience.
What You Will Do Every Day
You will pick apples by hand, following instructions on which trees and which varieties to harvest. You will use a ladder to reach higher branches, positioning it safely and moving it as you progress. You will place apples gently into a picking bag that hangs across your shoulders. You will take care not to bruise or damage the fruit because quality matters as much as quantity. You will sort apples by size and quality at the point of picking, discarding any damaged or unsuitable fruit according to orchard standards. You will empty your picking bag into large orchard bins, taking care to drop fruit gently without causing bruising. You will work at a steady pace to meet daily targets while maintaining quality, because the bonus structure rewards both speed and care. You will follow health and safety rules including proper ladder use and lifting techniques. You will work outdoors in all weather conditions, from warm sunny mornings to cool rainy afternoons. You will also help with basic orchard tidy up, such as clearing fallen fruit or moving empty bins. The work day starts at 7am and finishes at 5pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional Saturday work.
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What We Are Looking For
You need a reasonable level of fitness because apple picking involves climbing ladders, standing, reaching, bending, and carrying weight. You must be able to work all day in variable weather conditions including heat, wind, and rain. Use of a ladder is necessary, so you should be comfortable with heights. No previous experience is required because training is provided on the job. You must be reliable and punctual, arriving at the orchard by 7am ready to work. You must have the legal right to work in New Zealand with a current working holiday visa or be a New Zealand citizen or resident. Note that the orchard cannot employ anyone on an SSE visa. You must have your own accommodation because Golden Oak does not supply accommodation or on site camping. Having your own transport is helpful, but an adjacent bus route is available. No degree is mentioned or required.
Pay and Benefits
The base hourly rate is 6 per hour, with scope to earn more if you are fast and careful. That brings your effective hourly earnings to approximately $29.50 or higher. Hours are Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm, plus occasional Saturday work during peak harvest. The season runs until early May 2026. You will be working outdoors in a beautiful Hastings orchard. This is a great role for backpackers on working holiday visas or locals who want seasonal income.
How to Apply
If you are interested, please apply in person at Golden Oak Orchard, 10 Ormond Road, Hastings, between 8am and 4.30pm. Do not apply online or by phone. Bring your passport or proof of work rights. The team is looking to fill positions immediately. Do not wait. Apple picking offers good money, fresh air, and the satisfaction of seeing your bins fill up by the end of each day. Walk in today and start your season with a family owned orchard that values hard work and quality. Your ladder is waiting.
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