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Jobs in Dunedin & Otago
New Zealand's second largest region offers a remarkable range of full time and seasonal work opportunities.
Looking for more general employment information?
With five distinct geographic areas, Otago offers employment opportunities across a wider range than perhaps any other area in New Zealand.
Dunedin and Otago University are one of the country's premier education centres. Central Otago has stone fruit, dairy, beef and annual crops, and some of New Zealand's most iconic wineries - and some of our most famous scenery and ski fields.
Home to an estimated 4.7 per cent of the national population, Otago provided 5.1 per cent of national employment and 4.4 per cent of national GDP (year ended June 2018).
[Source: Statistics New Zealand data, 2018].
Central Otago seasonal work
Ski lift work in Queenstown (C) NZ Ski
A highly seasonal activity calendar with both winter and summer peaks means a wide choice of seasonal work in this region.
From various horticultural and agricultural opportunities mostly through Spring, Summer and autumn, the summer and winter tourism peaks create huge staff demands in the Ski industry and activity and adventure tourism - and hospitality all year round.
Travellers on a Working holiday visa can move easily from summer to winter work, with the ability to travel and return multiple times.
Central Otago seasonal work calendar
| When | What | Jobs | Find jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| June - October | Ski field staff | 1,000+ | Backpacker board , NZSki, Cardrona, Treble Cone |
| March - September | Vine Harvest / Maintenance Worker | 1,000 | Pick NZ, Backpacker Board |
| May - October | Hospitality Staff (F&B, etc) | 1,000 | RestaurantNZ, Go with Tourism, Backpacker Board |
| August - October | Dairy/beef farm assistant | 5,000 | NZ Farm source |
| August - April | Milk harvesting | 5,000+ | NZ Farm source, GoDairy |
| November | Cherry canopy management | 400 | Pick NZ |
| November | Stonefruit thinning | 450 - 600 | Pick NZ |
| November | Vineyard bud rubbing/shoot thinning | 500 | Pick NZ |
| November | Apples - thinning | 500 | Pick NZ |
| November - March | Summer Tourism (Guides & Biking) | 250+ | Go with Tourism, Backpacker Board |
| December | Cherry harvest & pack | 4,000 | Pick NZ |
| December | Stonefruit thinning | 450 - 600 | Pick NZ |
| December | Vineyard tucking/wire | 500 | Pick NZ |
| December | Blueberry harvest & pack | 100 | Pick NZ |
| December | Apples - harvesting | 500 | Pick NZ |
| Year Round | Meatworks – processing | 3,000 | Meat Your Career |
| Year Round | Casual Event Staff | 100+ | Pick NZ |
| Year Round | Accommodation Staff | 500 | RestaurantNZ, Go with Tourism, Backpacker Board |
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Job vacancies in the Otago region
Trade Me Jobs - lists a large number of jobs in Otago.
Seek - New Zealand's largest general job website.
Workhere - specifically designed to connect offshore skilled workers and Kiwi expats with New Zealand employers.
Work and Income - jobs available in Otago 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.
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.
New Kiwis - provides a programme linking New Zealand employers with skilled migrants living in New Zealand, or who are in the process of emigrating.
Work Talk | English Language Partners - an intensive, four-week course for confident users of English. Here, you will learn how to prepare your CV, approach employers, and practice for job interviews.
Business networking organisations
Dunedin Business Support - the economic development agency for the Dunedin City Council.
Otago Chamber of Commerce - supports local businesses by offering advice, consultancy, training and networking opportunities.
Queenstown Chamber of Commerce - the local chamber of commerce supporting Queenstown businesses and employers.
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 Otago and Volunteering Central match volunteers looking for volunteering roles with organisations looking for specific skills.