Retail Fruit Shop Assistant

Backpackerboard; Roxburgh; On-site; NZD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite accommodation available

Kitchen, lounge, laundry access

Job summary

Backpackerboard is seeking friendly Fruit Shop Assistants for the 2026/2027 fruit season at Fairview Orchard in New Zealand. Start dates range from mid-November to the end of December 2026, with roles lasting through mid-February, and some positions extending to end of March or April.

Weekend work is essential and shifts run 8am–7pm. Typical hours are 35–45 per week across 5 days; on-site accommodation may be available at modest rates, and applicants should be prepared for a busy, seasonal shop

Qualifications

• Experience in fruit grading, barista work, retail or customer service is helpful, but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Serving customers
• Grading and packing fruit
• Making coffees, smoothies and real fruit ice creams
• Using the till & handling cash
• Hosting alcohol tastings (18+ only)
• Restocking and merchandising
• Packaging goods
• Cleaning and general shop duties
• Following food safety and health & safety requirements
• Helping the team wherever needed during busy periods

Skills

Customer service

Barista work

Fruit grading

Retail experience

Teamwork

Job description

We are looking for friendly, motivated Fruit Shop Assistants to join our team for the 2026/2027 fruit season.

Starting dates: Positions will start between mid-November and the end of December 2026, depending on fruit availability and shop requirements.

Ideally, we are looking for 5 - 7 people who can stay until at least mid-February. Of these, around 4 positions will continue until the end of March and 2 positions through until the end of April. If you are only available for a shorter period, please make this clear when applying.

Fairview Orchard is a busy, family-run orchard and fruit shop open 7 days, 8am - 7pm during the main season. We grow and sell our own fruit, make real fruit ice creams, coffees and smoothies, sell local products, and offer tastings from our onsite distillery.

About the Role

Hours and days vary depending on fruit availability, weather, customer flow and staffing requirements.

Most seasonal staff work around 35 - 45 hours per week, usually across 5 days, although hours are not guaranteed. Early-season shifts focus heavily on training and getting you up to speed before the shop gets really busy ;-)

Weekend work is essential. Saturdays and Sundays are some of our busiest days and will form part of your normal roster.

Shifts are rostered between 8am and 7pm. We try to offer flexibility where possible, but this must also work around the needs of the shop.

What you will be doing...

• Serving customers
• Grading and packing fruit
• Making coffees, smoothies and real fruit ice creams
• Using the till & handling cash
• Hosting alcohol tastings (18+ only)
• Restocking and merchandising
• Packaging goods
• Cleaning and general shop duties
• Following food safety and health & safety requirements
• Helping the team wherever needed during busy periods

What we are looking for...

Experience in fruit grading, barista work, retail or customer service is helpful, but not essential.

• Is confident in their ability to be awesome
• Can relate to people of all ages and walks of life · we help old ladies carry fruit to their car if you get the idea!
• Is positive, proactive and reliable
• Shows initiative and works well under pressure
• Is fast on their feet and keen to learn
• Is happy to work as part of a busy team

Accommodation

Limited onsite accommodation may be available, with access to a kitchen, lounge, laundry, WiFi and bathrooms.

• Bedroom: $15.00 per night
• Campsite (van or tent): $12.50 per night

Please let us know when applying if you require accommodation.

Requirements

Please apply only if you:

• Can communicate and understand English very, very well
• Are legally entitled to work in New Zealand
• Have, or can obtain, an IRD number
• Have, or can set up, a NZ bank account
• Are available to work weekends throughout the season
• A valid driver licence that allows you to drive in New Zealand is helpful but not essential · our accommodation block is right across the road from the shop.

Check us out at www.upatreedistillery.co.nz. Our Jobs page also has a more detailed Job Description for the Fruit Shop Assistant position · good idea to check this out =)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairvieworchardnz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upatreedistillery/

We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully welcoming you to our team this season!