Jobs in Whangarei & Northland

Northland's job market is small compared to other regions, but the lifestyle opportunities make it an attractive proposition for many new arrivals prepared to persevere with job searching.

The Northland region is a small to medium sized economy with a prominent primary sector, a strong manufacturing base, and seasonal work in both farming and tourism/hospitality.

With an estimated 3.7 per cent of the national population (year ended June 2018), Northland provided 2.7 per cent of national employment, and 2.6 per cent of the national GDP.

Northland seasonal work

Visiting the Poor Knights islands

(C) Dive Tutukaka

New Zealand's northernmost region has stunning beaches, warm weather, and rich history.

There are plenty of seasonal and casual work opportunities, in tourism and hospitality, or year-round in agriculture.

Discover job opportunities and a laid back lifestyle with endless outdoor activities.

Tourism and hospitality jobs are most prevalent in Northland during the holidays, while there are plenty of seasonal agriculture opportunities in the Avocado, Dairy, Kiwifruit, Citrus, and Kumara (sweet potato) industries throughout the rest of the year.

Northland Seasonal Work Calendar
Seasonal work in Northland by month, job type and worker demand
WHEN WHAT STAFF NEEDED FIND JOBS
Mar - Jul Olive harvesting 500+ Pick NZ
Mar - Aug Kiwifruit harvest + packing 1,000+ Pick NZ, Kiwifruit Jobs NZ
May - Oct Macadamia harvesting 500+ Pick NZ
Jun - Jan Lemon picking and packing 1,000+ Pick NZ
Jun - Sep Forestry - sawmilling 550 Forestry Careers
Jun - Oct Grapefruit picking and packing 1,000+ Pick NZ
Jun - Oct Orange picking and harvesting 1,000+ Pick NZ
Aug - Oct Dairy / Beef farm assistant 2,100 NZ Farm source
Aug - Apr Milk harvesting 2,000 NZ Farm source, Go Dairy
Sep - Apr Avocado picking and packing TBA Pick NZ
Nov - Mar Hospitality Staff (F&B, Baristas, Chefs, Vineyards etc.) 250+ Seek, TradeMe Jobs,
Nov - Mar Tourism Activity & Outdoor Guides 100+ Seek, TradeMe Jobs,
Nov - Mar Tourism Water Sports & Boat Crew 100+ Seek, TradeMe Jobs,
Year Round Accommodation Staff 250+ Seek, TradeMe JobsBackpacker board
Year Round Oyster Farming 100 Trademe Jobs
Year Round Mussel Farming 100 Trademe Jobs
Year Round Vegetable growing 400 Pick NZ
Year Round Meatworks – processing 500 Meat Your Career

Other Seasonal work seeker sites

Backpacker Board - the largest online portal devoted to backpacking in New Zealand. Live job listings and special deals for backpackers, as well as plenty of travel information.

Jora - Jora is a search engine for jobs, with a local presence in 25 countries. They work to give you every relevant job opportunity for your search.

Adzuna - another job collation site . Adzuna is based in Sydney but is global covering 19 countries including New Zealand.

Jooble - is a job search website used daily in 69 countries - including New Zealand.
 

General job vacancies in Northland

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

Seek - New Zealand's largest general job website.

Work and Income - jobs available in Northland 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 Northern Advocate

The Northland Age

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.

Multicultural Whangarei - a not-for-profit community-based organisation supporting migrants and newcomers to Whangarei with their settlement process, providing a range of services including job assistance for migrants.

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

Business networking organisations 

Northland Inc - the economic development agency for the Northland Regional council.

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

Venus Network- a business network for women

Pacific Business Trust - Assists Pacific Island business owners take advantage of opportunities available. Helps with financial advice, networks, etc.

Volunteering

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

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

Volunteering Northland

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