Jobs in Nelson - Tasman

Nelson, the smallest of New Zealand’s regions by land area, is the urban complement to the more rural surrounding regions of Tasman and Marlborough.

At the top of the South Island, the provinces of Nelson-Tasman and Marlborough are world-renowned for their tourism and horticulture industries. Forestry, fishing and traditional farming are also highly productive.

Nelson-Tasman includes Kahurangi National Park, Golden Bay and the most of the Marlborough Sounds, providing work opportunities in a diverse range of tourism and lifestyle areas.

Nelson contributed 1.8 per cent to national GDP, provided 2.1 per cent of national employment, and was home to an estimated 1 per cent of the national population in the year ended June 2018.

[Source: Statistics New Zealand data, 2018].

Harvesting hops in Nelson

Hop harvest at Thorn, Nelson NZ

Nelson-Tasman Seasonal Work

For seasonal work, tourism, fishing, horticulture and agriculture all contribute to an area of great worker demand, particularly in the New Zealand autumn months of March through June.

Nelson-Tasman is famous for hops growing, pip and stonefruit, wineries and aquaculture.

There is work available all year round, but the autumn harvest season from March until May or June is the time of greatest demand.

Nelson-Tasman Seasonal Work Calendar.
 
When What Jobs Find jobs
Feb - Mar Sweetcorn picking and packing 100+ Pick NZ
Mar - Aug Kiwifruit harvest + packing 400 Pick NZKiwifruit Jobs NZ
Feb - Apr Hop Harvesting     250+ Pick NZ
Feb - Apr Apples and pears - harvest & packing 1,300 Pick NZBackpacker Board
Feb - Apr Apples and pears- thinning 1,000+ Pick NZ
Feb - Apr Berry picking and packing 2,000+ Pick NZ
May - Oct Macadamia harvesting 100+ Pick NZ
Jun - Aug (also year round) Vine Harvest/Maintenance Workers 1,400 Pick NZBackpacker Board
Jun - Sep Forestry - Planting 400+ ForestryCareers
Jul Olive picking  100+ Pick NZ
Aug - Oct Dairy – Calf rearing 400 NZ Farm source
Aug - Dec Dairy - Milking 400 NZ Farm sourceGoDairy
Nov - Febr  Winemaking 250+ Wine Jobs Online
Nov - Mar Hospitality staff (all areas) 2,000 RestaurantNZ, Seek, TradeMe Jobs Backpacker Board, Barcats
Nov - Mar Tourism - Outdoor guides 250+ Seek, TradeMe Jobs
Nov - Mar Tourism Water Sports Guides & Boat Crew 250+ Seek, TradeMe Jobs, Adventure Jobs
Nov - Mar Meat Processing 100+ Meat Your Career
Nov - Apr Pea harvesting 100 Pick NZ
Year Round Forestry 300 ForestryCareers
Year Round Fisheries + seafood processing 3,000 TradeMe
Year Round Accommodation Staff 1,000+ RestaurantNZ, Go with Tourism, Backpacker Board
Year Round Mussel Farming 100 Seek , TradeMe Jobs
Looking for more general employment information?
 

Job vacancies in the Nelson - Tasman region

Trade Me Jobs  - lists a large number of jobs in Nelson - Tasman.

Seek - New Zealand's largest general job website.

Work and Income - jobs available in Nelson - Tasman for Job Seekers.

careers.govt.nz - lists recruitment companies in New Zealand.

Newspapers

Most local newspapers publish jobs available in the area in the Situations Vacant column.

Nelson Mail

Nelson Leader

Tasman Leader

Nelson Weekly

Waimea Weekly

Job search help

Tips for recent migrants | careers.govt.nz - a free service to assist with your job search and prepare you for employment in the local labour market.

Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) - a government department helping to find employment for residents or those with a valid work permit. 

Business networking organisations 

EDA - the Nelson regional economic development agency.

Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce - supports local businesses by offering advice, consultancy, training and networking opportunities.

Venus Network- a business network for women

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to gain work experience, meet new people, learn about your community, and improve your English skills.

Volunteering Nelson matches volunteers looking for volunteering roles with organisations looking for specific skills, and offers free to low-cost training for volunteers.

Volunteering Nelson

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