Jobs in Invercargill & Southland

Currently the Southland region is addressing skill shortages in agriculture, forestry, building and construction, food and hospitality, meat processing, viticulture and horticulture, and civil construction.

An agricultural powerhouse, Southland is home to the world’s largest raw milk processing plant along with New Zealand’s only aluminium smelter.

World-ranked national parks draw many tourists, low house prices attract residents and low fees draw students to the local Institute of Technology.

Southland is home to an estimated 2 per cent of the national population, provides 2.2 per cent of national employment and contributed 2.0 per cent to national GDP (year ended June 2018).

[Source: Statistics New Zealand data, 2018].

Southland seasonal work

 NZ Dairy farm with workers

A  New Zealand Dairy farm with workers

Looking for more general employment information?
 

Tourism and agriculture are the key drivers of seasonal work in Southland.

The region has two national parks, including New Zealand’s largest (Fiordland) and Stewart Island (Rakiura).  Tourism jobs are mostly adventure and outdoor focused, though Hospitality is important everywhere. 

Southland is another large and fertile region, and dairy, beef and sheep farming all need workers at various times. As well, there are grain harvests, the winter ski season, and some vineyards.  

Southland seasonal work calendar
Monthly demand for seasonal workers in Southland.
When What Jobs Find jobs
March - September Vine Harvest / Maintenance Worker 1,000 Pick NZBackpacker Board
April - September Winter Snow Sports Staff 1,000+ Backpacker board , NZSkiCardrona, Treble Cone
October - March Tourism (Guides, Biking, Attractions) 1,000+ Go with Tourism , Backpacker board, Lakes Weekly Bulletin
October - March Tourism (Boat Crew & Watersports) 150+ Go with Tourism , Backpacker board, Lakes Weekly Bulletin
November Grain Harvests 650 Trade Me Jobs
November Sheep -shearing hands 350 NZ Shearing
November Dairy – Calf rearing     850 NZ Farm source
December Milk harvesting     850 NZ Farm sourceGoDairy
December Meatworks – processing 5,000 Meat Your Career
December Sheep -shearing hands 1,000 NZ Shearing
December Grain Harvests 820 Trade Me Jobs
Year Round Hospitality (F&B, etc)     5,000+ Go with TourismBackpacker Board
Year Round Casual Event Staff 100+ Go with TourismBackpacker Board
Year Round Accommodation Staff (Hotels etc) 5,000+ Go with TourismBackpacker Board

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Job vacancies in Invercargill & Southland

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

Seek - New Zealand's largest general job website.

New Kiwis - an online programme connecting skilled job seekers (local and global) with New Zealand employers.

Workhere - specifically designed to connect offshore skilled workers and Kiwi expats with New Zealand employers.

Work and Income - jobs available in Southland 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 Southland Times

The Southland Express

The Eye (Invercargill)

The Ensign (Gore)

Advocate South

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. 

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 

Venture Southland - the economic development agency for the Southland region.

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

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.

Organisations looking for volunteers often advertise positions on Seek Volunteer. Have a look to see if there is something available for you.

Southland | Seek Volunteer

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