The harvest is a moving puzzle. Pickers fill bins, but those bins do not move themselves. Someone has to deliver empty bins to the right place and shift full bins to the loadout pad without damaging fruit or slowing down the crew. That someone is a skilled tractor driver who understands communication, safety, and efficiency. Rawhiti Hort is looking for an experienced harvest tractor driver to support their operation. You will be the key link between picking teams and the loadout pad. You need one to two years of experience on horticultural or agricultural machinery, specifically tractors. The pay is 28to29 per hour with flexi rosters. If you take pride in doing the job right, handling bins with care, and keeping fruit quality as the priority, read on. For more information or to express interest, email jobs at rawhitihort dot co dot nz.
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About the Company
Rawhiti Hort is a local business that manages kiwifruit orchards for clients and runs a large harvesting operation. They are known for being a member of NZ Ethical Employers, meaning they care about the wellbeing of their people. The team values safety, quality, and clear communication. For experienced tractor drivers who want a seasonal role with a responsible employer, Rawhiti Hort is a solid choice.
What You Will Do Every Day
You will deliver empty bins to pickers, ensuring each bin is positioned conveniently so pickers can work efficiently without stopping. You will move full bins from the orchard floor to the loadout pad, where trucks collect them for transport to packhouses. You will handle bins with extreme care to avoid damage to the bins themselves and to prioritise fruit quality. Banged up bins can bruise fruit, and bruised fruit does not make export grade. You will carry out prestart checks on your tractor every shift, checking tyres, fluid levels, brakes, and hydraulics. You will adhere to all health and safety and hygiene requirements, including quality standards. You will maintain a strong focus on tractor operation safety, especially when manoeuvring near pickers and other vehicles. You will follow traffic management plans and complete required traffic management training. You will assist with equipment and PPE maintenance, reporting any faults immediately. You will ensure timesheets and other documentation are completed accurately and handed into yard admin. You will liaise directly with the Site Manager on any issues or feedback. You will also communicate regularly with picking teams, letting them know when fresh empty bins are arriving and when full bins need to be collected. Your role keeps the harvest flowing.
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What We Are Looking For
You need one to two years of experience on horticultural or agricultural machinery, specifically tractors. Experience on orchard loadout pads is a strong advantage. You must be comfortable driving a tractor with trailers, including reversing. You need a current driver licence. A strong understanding of health and safety around moving machinery and pedestrians is essential. You must be reliable, punctual, and able to work long hours during peak harvest, including weekends. You need to be physically fit for getting on and off the tractor and some manual handling. Attention to detail and a commitment to fruit quality are non negotiable. You must have the legal right to work in New Zealand with citizenship, residency, or a valid work visa. No degree is mentioned or required. Your own transport to the orchards is required.
Pay and Benefits
The hourly rate is between $28 – $29 per hour depending on experience. Flexi rosters mean you have some flexibility in your schedule, though harvest demands long hours. You will work full time during the season, with shifts that may vary. You will be part of an ethical employer that cares about its people. You will play a critical role in the harvest, directly affecting fruit quality and operational efficiency. There may be opportunities for ongoing work across seasons for reliable drivers.
How to Apply
For more information or to express your interest, please email jobs at rawhitihort dot co dot nz. Include your CV and a brief cover letter highlighting your tractor driving experience, specifically horticultural or agricultural machinery. Tell them how many seasons you have worked and whether you have experience on loadout pads. The harvest season is approaching, so do not wait. A well paid, responsible tractor driver role with an ethical employer does not come up every day. Send your email today and get ready to be the link that keeps the harvest moving. Your seat in the tractor is waiting.
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