The Ministry of Social Development has joined forces with seasonal employers to promote work opportunities at a Kawerau Horticulture Hiring Day next week.  

Job seekers who are keen to see what kiwifruit jobs are on offer can head to the Kawerau Concert Chamber, 2 Ranfurly Drive on Wednesday, January 22 between 1pm-3pm.

The kiwifruit industry is looking for people to fill about 20,000 vacancies across the Bay of Plenty ahead for the 2025 kiwifruit harvest.  

A mix of harvest and packhouse roles will be available and attendees will have the opportunity to talk to employers about what jobs may suit them.  

“We’re bringing employers and job seekers together to allow conversations to happen”, MSD’s Regional Commissioner for Bay of Plenty Jacob Davies said.  

“We tend to think of seasonal work as picking, packing and stacking,” he said.

“There are so many other jobs on offer from forklift to administration, so if someone isn’t able to do physical work, there may be other roles that suit.

“Seasonal work can be an opportunity for people looking to get back into the workforce or a stepping stone to other types of work, including full-time employment.”

Anyone curious about working in the industry can put on a headset and simulate various tasks through Virtual Reality.  

“The ministry has a range of products to support job seekers to move into employment, and employers with the recruitment process.

“The expo is free so pop down and check it out,” Mr Davies said.