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Useful experience includes:

• work in orchards or market gardens
• forklift driving
• production line work.

Packhouse workers may do some or all of the following:

• grade, pack and store produce according to market requirements
• assemble packaging and crates
• stack crates using forklifts
• check the quality of produce
• follow food, health and safety regulations
• maintain equipment and machinery.

Strong demand for packhouse workers 

Demand for packhouse workers is strong and will continue to grow due to:

• a shortage of workers caused by low unemployment rates
• an increase in the amount of fruit and vegetables grown
• the horticulture industry is expected to grow and increase its export revenue to over $5 billion in 2023.

It is predicted that 32,000 horticulture workers will be needed for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but only up to 28,000 workers will be available.  

Job chances for packhouse workers best in summer and autumn

Demand for packhouse workers is higher during the peak growing seasons of summer and autumn. However, packhouse workers are needed all year round.

Your best chance of getting work is to contact employers directly. 

The best regions to find work are Hawke's Bay, Bay of Plenty, Tasman (Nelson and Motueka) and Marlborough (Blenheim).

Types of employers varied

Packhouse workers may work for:

• orchardists and grape (wine) growers
• fruit, mushroom, nut and vegetable growers
• grain farmers
• flower growers.

Horticulture New Zealand

(04) 472 3795 - info@hortnz.co.nz - www.hortnz.co.nz

Primary Industry Training Organisation

0800 20 80 20 - info@primaryito.ac.nz - www.primaryito.ac.nz

Packhouse workers may move into forklift operator, shift supervisor or manager roles, or work in logistics (co-ordinating transport of goods).

• Forklift operator job information
• Production manager job information
• Storeperson job information
• Importer/Exporter job information

Packhouse workers may specialise in a number of roles, including:

Grader

Graders sort fruit, vegetables and other produce in order of size, type, colour and quality.

Labeller

Labellers put labels on fruit, vegetables and other produce for export. 

Packer

Packers fill trays and crates and check the quality and presentation of produce.

Post-harvest Quality Controller

Post-harvest quality controllers take samples of produce to check their size, colour and quality.

Stacker

Stackers stack packed boxes of produce in a way that ensures they do not get damaged.

Strapper

Strappers tape and wrap boxes and crates of produce.

Tray Prep

Tray preps assemble packaging, crates and trays ready to be filled with produce.

Packhouse workers need to be:

• efficient and methodical
• reliable and punctual
• accurate, with an eye for detail
• able to work as part of a team
• able to follow instructions
• able to work well under pressure.