Seasonal Work in Nelson, South Island

With the highest number of sunshine hours, laid back, relaxed lifestyle and lots of markets, great rivers and beaches Nelson is a good choice to make if you are planning on settling down to do some seasonal work. But what are my chances of getting a seasonal job you may be wondering? Pretty good if you are keen.

The BackpackNelson.com website has a well set out table, which shows the different kind of work available at different times of the year. The seasonal work page is updated each month showing what industries are currently looking for workers.

Here’s a few ideas but do have a look at the BackpackNelson website for more information.

Summer
Nelson is busy in summer with both domestic & international tourists so there are loads of jobs relating to that – café/bar work, cleaning,
In Feb the apple season starts and there is a huge demand for workers right thru to late May. There is a special seasonal co-ordinator based in Motueka who co-ordinates this and if you don’t have a work permit you can get a special one from there.

Autumn
Apples continue. There is also lots of work in March with the hop harvest (used for making beer at the many boutique breweries in the area) and in April/May grapes & kiwifruit.

Winter
Winter is Hoki season and there is plenty of work at Sealords from late June with this. A really good way to save money at this time is to do some Exchange Work at a hostel and then do a shift at Sealords (don’t get too tired though..)

Spring
Still some work in the fishing industries – once the hoki season finishes we’re then into mussels. There is also Grape Pruning and later apple thinning (Nov/Dec).

Ways of finding the jobs are also set out on the BackpackNelson website. In the usual Kiwi way though the best way for a lot of these jobs is actually to front up and show that you are keen (you may have to call back more than once). Good luck ..

You won’t get rich doing seasonal work but get stuck in and you’ll have fun, meet some new people, get to know an area well, maybe learn some new skills and have a bit of extra cash to take on with you on your next adventure. Anyone will tell you even the most tedious jobs are worth it even if it is just to be able to tell a good tale to the next traveller.

this article was written by Peter & Georgie from Tasman Bay Backpackers