Jobs in Invercargill & Southland

Currently the Southland region is addressing skill shortages in agriculture, forestry, building and construction, food and hospitality, meat processing, viticulture and horticulture, and civil construction.

An agricultural powerhouse, Southland is home to the world’s largest raw milk processing plant along with New Zealand’s only aluminium smelter.

World-ranked national parks draw many tourists, low house prices attract residents and low fees draw students to the local Institute of Technology.

Southland is home to an estimated 2 per cent of the national population, provides 2.2 per cent of national employment and contributed 2.0 per cent to national GDP (year ended June 2018).

[Source: Statistics New Zealand data, 2018].

Southland seasonal work

 NZ Dairy farm with workers

A  New Zealand Dairy farm with workers

Looking for more general employment information?
 

Tourism and agriculture are the key drivers of seasonal work in Southland.

The region has two national parks, including New Zealand’s largest (Fiordland) and Stewart Island (Rakiura).  Tourism jobs are mostly adventure and outdoor focused, though hospitality is important everywhere. 

Southland is another large and fertile region, and dairy, beef and sheep farming all need workers at various times. As well, there are grain harvests, the winter ski season, and some vineyards.  

Southland seasonal work calendar
Monthly demand for seasonal workers in Southland.
When What Jobs Find jobs
Jan - Feb Blueberry Picking and Packing (Otautau) 100 Pick NZ
May - Sep Forestry Planting (Western Southland) 40 forestrycareers.nz
Jan - Feb Tulip Harvest (Southeast Southland) 360 Trademe Jobs
Jun - Jul Tulip Bulbs (Southeast Southland) 200 Trademe Jobs
Apr - May Crutching 350 NZ Shearing
Jun - Aug Pre lamb 175 NZ Shearing
Jul - Nov Fine wool & Crossbred Shear 300 - 175 NZ Shearing
Dec - Mar Crossbred main shear 800 NZ Shearing
Nov - Mar High Country Fencing 25 Trademe Jobs
Nov Sheep -shearing hands 200 NZ Shearing
Dec Sheep -shearing hands 500 NZ Shearing
Mar - May Calf Rearer/Autumn Calving 50 NZ Farm source
Aug - Oct Calf Rearer 425 NZ Farm Source
Nov Dairy – Calf rearing 450 NZ Farm Source
Nov - Feb Milk Harvester 100 NZ Farm Source
Dec Milk Harvesting 450 NZ Farm Source
Jun - Sept Meat Processing 1,200 - 450 Silverfern Farm
Oct - May Meat Processing 3,700 Silverfern Farm
Dec Meatworks – processing 2,500 Meat Your Career
Sept - May Arable Machinery Operators 370 - 550 Hanzon Jobs
Nov Grain Harvests 350 Trade Me Jobs
Dec Grain Harvests 450 Trade Me Jobs
Sep - May Hospitality and Tourism (Fiordland) 150 - 300 Trademe Jobs
Oct - Mar Tourism Summer Activity Staff (Outdoor Guides, Biking, Attractions) - Fiordland 350 Seek, TradeMe Jobs Backpacker Board
Oct - Mar Tourism Boat Crew & Watersports - Fiordland 150 Seek, Trademe Jobs, Backpacker Board
Mar - Sep Vine Harvest / Maintenance Worker 1,000 Backpacker Board, Pick NZ
Year Round Casual Event Staff 100+ Seek, Trademe Jobs,  Backpacker Board
Year Round Accommodation Staff (Hotels etc) 5,000+ Seek, Trademe Jobs,  Backpacker Board

.

 

Job vacancies in Invercargill & Southland

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

Seek - New Zealand's largest general job website.

Work and Income - jobs available in Southland 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.

The Southland Times

The Southland Express

The Eye (Invercargill)

The Ensign (Gore)

Advocate South

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 

Venture Southland - the economic development agency for the Southland region.

Southland 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.

Organisations looking for volunteers often advertise positions on Seek Volunteer. Have a look to see if there is something available for you.

Southland | Seek Volunteer

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