New Zealand’s horticulture industry is growing steadily. Berry farming in particular requires a reliable seasonal workforce every year. Sunrise Berries Ltd. needs physically capable outdoor workers who can handle the full range of farm duties from picking and planting to site clearing and equipment maintenance.
Whether you have years of farm experience or are simply looking for honest outdoor work with good pay, this role gives you a real chance to earn a solid income in one of New Zealand’s most productive rural regions. You do not need a university degree or specialist training to apply. What you do need is a strong body, a reliable attitude, and a legal right to work in New Zealand.
Who Is Sunrise Berries Ltd
Sunrise Berries Ltd is a commercial berry farming operation located near Onewhero in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island. The company grows and harvests berries on a seasonal cycle and relies on a team of dedicated outdoor workers to keep the farm productive throughout the growing season.
The company values reliability above all else. In farming, one absent worker can slow down an entire team. So Sunrise Berries Ltd carefully selects people who show up consistently, follow instructions, and put in genuine effort every single day they are on the job.
New Zealand citizens and permanent residents receive first priority in the hiring process. However, visa holders who are currently in New Zealand and legally allowed to work are also welcome to apply. You will need to confirm your location and visa status when you submit your application.
What the Job Involves Day to Day
This general farm worker job in New Zealand covers a wide and varied set of outdoor tasks. The specific duties you perform will depend on where the farm is in its growing and harvesting cycle at any given time. Here is a clear picture of what your working days will typically look like:
- Picking and harvesting berries to meet daily production targets during the busy harvest period
- Planting new berry crops and replanting sections of the farm as part of crop rotation and growth programs
- Carrying out ongoing crop maintenance to support healthy plant development throughout the season
- Clearing old plants, weeds, unwanted vegetation, and general farm waste from growing areas
- Moving and transporting trays, crates, tools, posts, crop covers, and other materials around the farm
- Helping set up and maintain irrigation lines, crop covers, tunnels, and outdoor field infrastructure
- Cleaning work areas, equipment, and trays to maintain hygiene and safety standards on site
- Carrying out any other general outdoor farm and land maintenance duties as directed by supervisors
The work changes with the season. Some weeks will be focused on planting and preparation. Other weeks will involve fast paced harvesting. This variety keeps the role interesting and helps you build a wide set of practical skills over your 7 month contract.
Physical Demands You Should Know About
Farm work in New Zealand is not light duty. This is a genuinely demanding outdoor role, and Sunrise Berries Ltd. is clear about that. Before you apply, it is important to understand exactly what your body will need to handle throughout this contract.
You will spend most of each shift on your feet. The job requires repeated bending, crouching, lifting, carrying, and pushing. During berry picking in particular, you will be leaning and reaching for extended periods. Workers who are not used to this type of activity can find it very tiring in the first few weeks.
You will also work in all types of weather. New Zealand’s Waikato region experiences warm summers, wet winters, and windy shoulder seasons. Rain does not stop farm work. So you need to be genuinely prepared to work outdoors regardless of the conditions on any given day.
Earnings breakdown: At 24 NZD per hour, a standard 40 hour working week earns you 960 NZD before tax. Over the 7 month contract, that adds up to approximately 26,880 NZD in total earnings before deductions. During peak berry season, working up to 6 days per week increases your weekly income further. New Zealand’s 2026 minimum wage is 23.15 NZD per hour, so this role pays above the legal minimum rate.
What You Need to Apply
Sunrise Berries Ltd. has outlined several key requirements for this General Farm Worker position in New Zealand. If you meet these qualifications before applying, you can improve your chances of being shortlisted for an interview.
Physical fitness: You should be physically fit and able to handle demanding outdoor work throughout each shift.
Stamina: The job involves standing, bending, crouching, walking, lifting, carrying, and pushing for extended periods every day.
Outdoor work: You must feel comfortable working in changing weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, wind, and dusty environments.
Flexible schedule: You should be available to work weekends and up to six days a week during the peak berry harvesting season.
Dependability: Arrive on time, follow instructions carefully, and maintain a strong work ethic every day.
Relevant experience: Experience in farming, orchard work, horticulture, forestry, planting, vegetation clearing, or other outdoor labour is an advantage, but not essential for capable candidates.
Work authorization: You must have the legal right to work in New Zealand through citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid work visa.
Please read before applying: This job is only open to people who are currently in New Zealand. Applications from people outside the country will not be considered. You must also hold a legal right to work in New Zealand. When you apply, you will be asked to confirm your current location and provide details of your visa type. New Zealand citizens and permanent residents receive first priority in the selection process.
Life and Work in the Waikato Region
Onewhero sits in the Franklin district of Waikato, southwest of Auckland. The surrounding countryside is green, open, and peaceful. If you enjoy being outdoors and away from city noise, this part of New Zealand is a genuinely refreshing place to spend 7 months of your working life.
The cost of living in rural Waikato is considerably lower than in Auckland. Shared housing in the area can often be found at affordable weekly rates. This means your earnings from this farm job can go much further than they would in the city. Workers who budget carefully have a real opportunity to save a meaningful amount during the contract period.
You will need your own reliable transport to commute to the farm each day. Public transport options in rural Waikato are limited. Having a car or access to a vehicle is therefore very important for anyone considering this role who does not already live in the immediate Onewhero area.
Building Your Farming Career Through This Role
A 7 month contract with a commercial berry farm gives you far more than just seasonal income. You gain hands-on experience in New Zealand’s horticulture industry, which is one of the country’s most important and growing agricultural sectors. This experience is recognized and respected by other farming employers across New Zealand and Australia.
Workers who perform well in roles like this often receive positive references that open doors to longer-term or better-paid farm positions. Some go on to supervisory or team leader roles within the same operation. Others use their New Zealand farming experience to secure working holiday visa extensions or longer-term residency pathways.
Even if farming is not your long-term career goal, completing a full-season contract demonstrates to any future employer that you are reliable, hardworking, and capable of seeing a commitment through to the end. That kind of track record has real value in any industry.
How to Apply for This General Farm Worker Job in New Zealand
Follow these steps to submit a strong application to Sunrise Berries Ltd:
- Apply via Indeed New Zealand by searching Sunrise Berries General Farm Worker Waikato
- Confirm in your application that you are currently in New Zealand and provide your visa type clearly
- Write a short cover note about your physical fitness and any relevant outdoor or farm work experience
- Confirm your availability for weekend work and up to 6 days per week during peak berry season
- Make sure you have reliable daily transport to reach the Onewhero farm location before applying
Employer: Sunrise Berries Ltd · Location: Onewhero, Waikato, NZ · Pay: 24 NZD/hr · Contract: 7 months
Answers to Common Questions
How much does this general farm worker job in New Zealand pay?
The pay rate is 24 NZD per hour, which is above New Zealand’s 2026 minimum wage of 23.15 NZD. Working 40 hours per week gives you approximately 960 NZD before tax each week. During peak season, working up to 6 days increases this further. Over the full 7 month contract, total earnings before tax reach approximately 26,880 NZD based on a standard 40 hour week.
Do I need experience to get this farm job at Sunrise Berries in Waikato?
Sunrise Berries Ltd. prefers applicants with experience in farming, orchard work, horticulture, forestry, or other outdoor labour. However, the company also welcomes physically fit, reliable candidates who can perform the work, even if they have no formal farming experience. If you have worked in any physically demanding outdoor role before, that experience is worth mentioning in your application even if it was not specifically farm work.
Can I apply for this New Zealand farm job if I am on a working holiday visa?
Yes, if your working holiday visa permits you to work and you are currently in New Zealand. Working holiday visa holders are generally eligible for farm and horticulture work in New Zealand. However, you must confirm your visa details when you apply since the employer will ask about your visa type. New Zealand citizens and permanent residents receive first priority.
Is this a full-time or part-time farm job in New Zealand?
This position is available as a full-time, part-time, casual, and fixed-term contract. The flexibility allows you to choose the work arrangement that best fits your personal situation. During the peak berry harvesting season, Sunrise Berries Ltd. may require all workers, including part-time and casual staff, to work up to six days a week to keep up with production demands.
Do I need a car to work at Sunrise Berries Ltd in Onewhero?
Having your own reliable transport is strongly recommended because Onewhero is a rural community with very limited public transport options. Without a vehicle, getting to and from the farm each day will be very difficult. If you do not have a car, you should look into carpooling arrangements with other workers or check whether any accommodation close to the farm is available before accepting the role.