TRACTOR OPERATOR

JobSpace; Whakatāne; On-site; NZD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Jora New Zealand is seeking a hands-on agricultural machinery operator in the Whakatāne region. You will operate tractors and irrigation systems, perform daily safety checks, and support irrigation setup and crop maintenance on-site.

The role requires 3 years of work experience or a Level 5 or higher qualification, with a focus on safe operation, routine maintenance, and efficient field work across horticulture tasks.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience operating agricultural machinery.
• Familiar with tractors and irrigation systems.
• Commitment to safety procedures and guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain agricultural and horticultural machinery, including tractors and irrigation systems.
• Prepare machinery for daily operations with safety checks, maintenance, and calibration.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs to minimize downtime.
• Operate machinery for soil cultivation, irrigation, fertilizing, pest, weed control, and harvesting.
• Monitor performance and take corrective action as needed.
• Follow health and safety procedures to prevent hazards.
• Assist with loading/unloading of produce, fertilizers, and chemicals using forklifts or loaders.
• Record machine usage and maintenance logs for supervisors.
• Assist in setting up irrigation systems and operating pumps for crop maintenance.
• Ensure cleanliness of machinery and site hygiene after use.
• Adjust operations based on weather conditions to protect crops.

Skills

Machinery operation

3 Years work experience

Education

Level 5 or higher qualification

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

• Operate, monitor, and maintain various agricultural and horticultural machinery, including tractors and irrigation systems.
• Prepare machinery and equipment for daily operations, ensuring safety checks, maintenance, and calibration are completed as required.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on machinery and equipment to ensure optimal functioning and minimize downtime.
• Operate machinery for land preparation, soil cultivation, fertilizing, pest and weed control, irrigation, and harvesting of horticulture crops.
• Monitor machinery performance during operation to identify issues and take corrective action where necessary.
• Follow health and safety procedures while operating machinery to prevent workplace hazards and ensure compliance with workplace policies.
• Assist with loading and unloading of horticultural produce, fertilizers, chemicals, and other materials using forklifts, loaders, or other appropriate machinery.
• Record and report machine usage, maintenance logs, and operational issues to supervisors or management.
• Assist in setting up irrigation systems and operating pumps and other watering equipment as required for crop maintenance.
• Ensure cleanliness of machinery and equipment after use to maintain hygiene standards within the horticulture site.
• Maintain awareness of weather conditions and adjust machinery operation accordingly to protect crops and ensure efficient operations.

3 Years of work experience OR Level 5 OR higher qualification