Apple Tree Thinners - Gisborne 2026

De Costa Enterprises Ltd; Gisborne; On-site; NZD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation on site

Full training provided

Job summary

De Costa Enterprises Ltd in Gisborne, New Zealand is seeking full-time workers for the apple thinning season. You will remove excess fruitlets to help apples grow to the required size and quality, with full training provided and no previous experience required.

Work is outdoors in all weather, on-site accommodation available and you will typically work 40–50 hours across 5–6 days per week. You must have the right to work in NZ, reliable transport and a NZ bank account.

Qualifications

• High level of physical fitness.
• Positive, friendly attitude; willing to learn.
• Ability to perform repetitive manual work.
• Reliable and punctual; turns up to work each day.

Responsibilities

• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Operate as part of a team to meet quality and productivity targets.
• Walk and stand for long periods during shifts.
• Use mobile platforms to reach higher branches.
• Perform repetitive hand/finger and arm movements.
• Remove fruitlets by hand to meet spacing and size rules.
• Follow orchard supervisor instructions on quality standards.

Skills

Physical fitness

Teamwork

Timekeeping

Job description

We are looking for full-time workers to join our friendly team for the apple thinning season

Apple thinning is an important part of producing high quality apples. You will be removing excess apple fruitlets from the trees, enabling the remaining apples room to grow to the optimal size and quality required

PAY and HOURS

Starting mid-November 2025 and finishing just before Christmas

Working 5-6 days per week / 40-50 hours per week

$25.00 per hour plus 8% holiday pay

Affordable accommodation on site available (limited numbers)

Full training provided - no previous experience required

JOB INVOLVES

• Working outdoors in various weather conditions
• Working as part of a team to meet quality and productivity targets
• Walking and standing on your feet most of the day
• Working with Mobile Platforms to reach the higher branches
• Repetitive hand/finger and arm movements
• Fruit Removal - pluck out small, damaged, misshapen or crowded fruitlets by hand from each cluster
• Quality Control - follow specific instructions from orchard supervisors regarding fruit spacing, size standards and tree variety rules.

SUITABLE CANDIDATES

• High level of physical fitness
• Positive, friendly attitude, strong work ethic and willingness to learn
• Ability to perform repetitive manual work
• Work well as part of a team
• Reliable, Good timekeeping, Turn up to work each day
• Must be currently in NZ
• Must have legal right to work in NZ (Valid Work Visa)
• Must have own reliable transport
• NZ Bank Account
• IRD Number