irrigation assistant

LeaderBrand Produce Limited; Gisborne, Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

LeaderBrand is seeking an Irrigation Assistant for Makauri Farm in Gisborne on a fixed-term seasonal basis. You will set up irrigation equipment, apply water, monitor system performance, and assist with general farm duties as needed, reporting to the Irrigation Manager.

You must have a NZ driver licence and good fitness, with irrigation or farming experience considered a bonus. The role involves operating tractors and machinery as part of daily tasks.

Qualifications

• Full NZ driver licence is required.
• Good level of fitness and ability to lift heavy loads.
• Willingness to work outdoors and as part of a team.
• Irrigation knowledge or agricultural experience is a plus.
• Experience keeping accurate records is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Set up and move irrigation equipment across crops.
• Apply water at prescribed rates on designated crops/areas.
• Check system performance and fix faults.
• Monitor water use to support crop health and productivity.
• Operate tractors and machinery on and off road.
• Keep tractors, irrigators, pumps and pipes in good working order with workshop team.

Skills

Full NZ driver licence

Fitness

Irrigation knowledge

Agricultural experience

Record keeping

Tractors and farm machinery

Tools

Tractors and farm machinery

Job description

We’re looking for an Irrigation Assistant to join our irrigation team at Makauri Farm, Gisborne, for the season. Reporting to our Irrigation Manager, this is a fixed-term role, to help us meet seasonal demand.

In this hands‑on role, you’ll keep our irrigation systems running efficiently so our crops get the right amount of water at the right time. Your day will include:

• Setting up and moving irrigation equipment across our crops
• Applying water at the prescribed rate on designated crops and areas
• Checking system performance, and finding and fixing faults
• Monitoring water use to support crop health and productivity
• Operating tractors and machinery on and off road
• Keeping tractors, irrigators, pumps and pipes in good working order, alongside our workshop team
• Filling in irrigation records accurately and on time
• Helping with general farm duties when needed

About You

You enjoy working outdoors, you’re practical, and you take pride in doing the job properly. You’re happy working on your own, but you’re also a good team player who communicates well with the people around you.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need:

• A full New Zealand driver licence
• A good level of fitness and the ability to handle heavy lifting

It would be great if you also have:

• Irrigation knowledge or experience
• Agricultural or horticultural experience
• Experience keeping accurate records

About LeaderBrand

At LeaderBrand, we’re passionate about evolving fresh food for a healthier world. As a proud family-owned business, our goal is to be New Zealand’s most innovative and consistent fresh food producer. We farm across three key growing regions, process and pack in state-of-the-art post-harvest facilities, and are supported by a nationwide sales team delivering fresh produce to every corner of Aotearoa. Our 400+ people are central to our success. We’re always on the lookout for new talent with energy, passion, and a drive to learn – people excited to help shape the future of fresh food.
Gisborne is the heart of our business and the place where LeaderBrand was founded more than 50 years ago. Over that time, LeaderBrand has become integral to the story of our community, with the next generations of those who started with us returning to shape the future alongside us. We also have farms in Pukekohe and Chertsey.
We have a strong vision for the future of our business, our people, and our industry. We’re constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Our continuous improvement mindset grounds us as one of New Zealand’s leading horticultural businesses. We seek, harness, and develop the best people, technology, land, and machinery to shape the future of food.