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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
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
| When | What | Jobs | Find jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| March - September | Vine Harvest / Maintenance Worker | 1,000 | Pick NZ, Backpacker Board |
| April - September | Winter Snow Sports Staff | 1,000+ | Backpacker board , NZSki, Cardrona, 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 source, GoDairy |
| 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 Tourism, Backpacker Board |
| Year Round | Casual Event Staff | 100+ | Go with Tourism, Backpacker Board |
| Year Round | Accommodation Staff (Hotels etc) | 5,000+ | Go with Tourism, Backpacker 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.
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.