Orchard Worker Careers -NEW ZEALAND

Orchard Worker Jobs Kumeu Auckland.

Introduction: Growing a Career in Kumeu

The horticultural heart of Auckland lies in Kumeu, and at its center is F Boric and Sons Ltd. As a family-owned and operated business, Boric Orchards represents the best of New Zealand’s primary industry. We are a specialized, small-scale operation that takes pride in supplying high-quality fruit directly to the local Auckland market and boutique fruit shops.

We are currently looking for a hardworking, reliable Orchard Worker to join our team. This full-time role offers a competitive wage of $25 – $28 per hour and provides a unique opportunity to work across the entire lifecycle of a commercial orchard. If you enjoy working outdoors, have a passion for quality produce, and aren’t afraid of a hard day’s work, Boric Orchards is the place for you.

The Boric Way: Quality Over Quantity

Because we are a small-scale operation, we focus on excellence. Our fruit isn’t just “picked”; it is curated. Our workers are trained to understand the subtle cues of ripeness, color, and size. When you work with us, you aren’t just a laborer; you are a guardian of the Boric brand.

Detailed Role Overview and Seasonal Workflow

An Orchard Worker’s year is defined by the seasons. Your tasks will evolve as the trees move through their natural cycles. This variety ensures that the work remains interesting and technically challenging.

1. The Harvest Season (Picking & Grading)

During the peak harvest, you will be responsible for picking a wide variety of fruits, including:

• Stonefruit: Peaches, nectarines, and plums.
• Pipfruit: Apples and pears.
• Citrus: Lemons, limes, and oranges.

Select Picking: Unlike large-scale industrial farms, we utilize “select picking.” This means you will hand-pick fruit based on specific ripeness and size criteria. You will perform hand grading directly in the field, ensuring that only the best fruit makes it into the bins.

2. Post-Harvest Maintenance (Pruning & Thinning)

Once the fruit is off the trees, the real work of preparing for the next year begins:

• Pruning: Using manual and mechanical tools to shape the trees, remove dead wood, and encourage productive growth.
• Thinning: Removing excess small fruit during the early growth phase to ensure the remaining fruit reaches optimal size and quality.

3. General Orchard Operations

• Tree Health: Identifying signs of pests or disease and reporting them to management.
• Irrigation: Assisting with the maintenance of water systems to ensure trees stay hydrated during dry Auckland summers.
• Groundskeeping: General maintenance of the orchard rows to ensure safe access for machinery and staff.

Technical Skills and Qualifications

While we value a strong work ethic, certain technical skills will make you a standout candidate:

• Machinery Operation: Ideally, you have experience driving tractors. Our orchard relies on small-tonnage tractors for moving bins and equipment.
• Hydraulic Platforms: Use of elevated lift platforms (hydraladas) for picking and pruning at heights is a core part of the role.
• Forklift License: While not required initially, having a F-endorsement is a significant advantage for moving pallets in the loading zone.
• GROWSAFE Certification: An understanding of safe agrichemical use is beneficial for long-term orchard health.

Why Work at Boric Orchards?

Working for a family business offers benefits that corporate farms cannot match:

• Supportive Environment: You aren’t just a number; you are part of the Boric family legacy.
• Full-Time Stability: We offer consistent work throughout the year, not just seasonal contracts.
• Skill Development: You will learn every aspect of orcharding, from soil health to final market preparation.
• Kumeu Lifestyle: Work in one of Auckland’s most beautiful rural-residential areas, away from the stress of the city center.

Physical Demands and Professional Suitability

Horticulture is a physically demanding field. To succeed as an Orchard Worker, you must be:

• Physically Fit: Able to spend long hours on your feet, climbing ladders, and lifting fruit bins.
• Weather Resilient: Auckland’s weather is famously changeable. You must be prepared to work in the sun, wind, and occasional rain.
• Detail-Oriented: “Select picking” requires a keen eye for detail to ensure only premium fruit is harvested.
• Punctual: Commercial farming runs on a strict clock, especially during the harvest.

The Importance of Local Supply Chains

By working at Boric Orchards, you are supporting the local Auckland economy. Our fruit doesn’t travel thousands of miles; it goes from Kumeu to your neighbor’s kitchen. This reduces carbon footprints and ensures that Aucklanders have access to the freshest possible produce.

Health and Safety in the Orchard

At F Boric and Sons Ltd, we take Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) seriously. Working with machinery and at heights requires constant vigilance. You will be provided with full safety briefings and are expected to follow all protocols regarding tractor safety, ladder use, and sun protection.

How to Apply

If you have a right to work in New Zealand and are ready to get your hands dirty in the pursuit of great fruit, we want to hear from you.

1. Submit Your CV: Highlight any experience with machinery or previous horticultural work.
2. Cover Letter: Tell us why you enjoy working outdoors and what you know about the Boric brand.

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