Jobs in Whanganui - Manawatu

Named after the two significant catchments of the Manawatu River and the Whanganui river, this central North Island region encompasses a wide area and includes a large proportion of its pastoral land.

The Whanganui to the north and west is the country’s longest navigable river. The Manawatu in the south east creates a large fertile plain and runs through the largest city, Palmerston North (population 80,000). Palmerston North is about seven hour’s drive from Auckland and two hours from Wellington.

Palmerston North is a key university city, noted for its agricultural faculty, in a rich farming district. 

The Whanganui - Manawatu region was home to an estimated 5.0 per cent of the national population in the year ended June 2018, provided 4.6 per cent of national employment and contributed 3.8 per cent to national GDP.

[Source: Statistics New Zealand data, 2018].

Whanganui-Manawatu Seasonal work

Market garden in Horowhenua
Looking for more general employment information?
 

The Manawatu River in the southeast of the region creates a large fertile plain where the agriculture, horticulture, and forestry industries are thriving.

There are plenty of seasonal opportunities in agriculture and horticulture, mainly centred around vegetable-growing.

Manawatū-Whanganui grows a large percentage of the country’s asparagus, lettuce, brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower), and root vegetables (carrots & potatoes). 
 

Whanganui-Manawatu Seasonal Work Calendar.
Seasonal work in Manawatu-Whanganui by month, job type and worker demand.
When What Jobs Find Jobs
Jun - Aug (also year round) Vineyard Workers (Horowhenua) 100+ Pick NZ , BackpackerBoard
Jun - Oct Winter hospitality  500 RestaurantNZ, Go with Tourism, BackpackerBoard, Barcats
Jun - Oct (Year Round) Potato harvesting <500 Pick NZ , BackpackerBoard
Year Round Potato grading <500 Pick NZ , BackpackerBoard
Year Round Lettuce harvesting 100+ Pick NZ
Sep - Dec Asparagus harvesting <5,000 Pick NZ
Jan - Oct Carrot Harvesting 500 Pick NZ
Year Round Brassica harvest (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) 500 Pick NZ
Nov - Jan Berry picking (Whanganui) 100+ Pick NZ
Aug - Oct Dairy – Calf rearing 5,000 NZ Farm source
Aug - Apr Milk harvesting     5,000 NZ Farm Source , Go Dairy
June - Oct (apply by Jan) Ski resort - specialised (qualifications needed) <100 Snow Season Central
June - Oct (apply by Jan) Ski resort - attendant 100 Snow Season Central
June - Oct (apply by Jan) Ski resort - hospitality 100 Snow Season Central
December - February Summer Hospitality 1,000 RestaurantNZ, Go with Tourism, BackpackerBoard, Barcats
Year Round Meatworks – processing 2,500 Meat Your Career
Year Round Forestry 1,000 Forestry Careers

Job vacancies in  Whanganui - Manawatu

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

Seek - New Zealand's largest general job website.

Work and Income - jobs available in Whanganui - Manawatu 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.

Manawatu Standard

Wanganui Chronicle

Horowhenua Mail

Rangitikei Mail

Manawatu Guardian

River City Press

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 

Central Economic Development Agency - the economic development agency for Manawatu.

Whanganui Economic Development Centre - Whanganui's economic development agency.

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

Whanganui Chamber of Commerce - supports businesses in the Whanganui area.

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 centres match volunteers looking for volunteering roles with organisations looking for specific skills, and offers free to low-cost training for volunteers.

Volunteering Whanganui

Volunteer Resource Centre Manawatu

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