No. Most roles — including thinning and picking — require no previous experience. Full training is provided on site, so you can start with zero background in horticulture.

The minimum age is 18 years old — as long as your visa allows you to legally work in New Zealand, you're welcome to apply.

No minimum level of English is required. Our supervisors are international and can support you with language on site, so you can work with us even while you're still learning English.

Yes — orchard work involves being on your feet outdoors, repetitive movement, and some lifting. No special fitness level is required, but you should be comfortable with physical, hands-on work.

Any of the following visas works: Work and Holiday visa, Partner visa, Study visa, Open visa, or Resident visa.

Yes, Work and Holiday visa holders are welcome to apply.

We don't sponsor visas directly. However, we work with immigration lawyers that our workers can access for professional visa advice (paid service, at your own arrangement).

This depends on your specific visa conditions. Check the hour limits on your visa before applying, as these are set by Immigration New Zealand, not by Vardaan.

The 2026 hourly rate is $23.95 NZD + 8% holiday pay. For production-based (bin) roles, bin rates are set each year, always guaranteeing at least the minimum hourly rate.

Pay is weekly and reliable.

It depends on the role — some positions are paid hourly, others by bin (production-based). Bin rates are always set to guarantee at least the minimum hourly rate.

We don't currently offer bonuses or peak-season incentives.

It depends on the region:

• Gisborne: Thinning usually runs from late September to mid-January. Harvest runs from early March to mid-April.
• Bay of Plenty (Te Puke): Thinning usually runs from early October to early February. Harvest runs from mid-March to mid-June.

See above — season length varies by region and role. Gisborne and Bay of Plenty run on slightly different calendars, so check which region you're applying to.

• Thinning: removing excess fruit and buds so the remaining kiwifruit grow bigger and higher quality.
• Pruning: vine pruning, stringing and general orchard maintenance during the off-season.
• Harvest / Picking: picking Gold and Green kiwifruit — the busiest, most social time of year.

Yes, you can keep working with us across seasons continuously, as long as it fits within what your visa allows.

We work across Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, and Whanganui.

Yes, accommodation is available for workers in Gisborne.

Transport is available for some positions in both Gisborne and Bay of Plenty, but not for every role.

You don't need to own a car, but since transport isn't guaranteed for every position, having your own way to get to the orchard is important and recommended.

You'll arrive at the orchard, where your manager or supervisor will assign your work block/line for the day. There's typically a paid smoko (short break) around 10am, an unpaid lunch break around 12:30pm, and a second paid 15-minute smoko around 3pm.

You work as part of a team in an international, supportive environment.

Comfortable clothing that protects you from the sun, sunscreen, water, and food/snacks for the day. Waterproof footwear is optional but not strictly necessary.

Yes — work can't go ahead if the canopy (vine cover) is wet.

Fill out the application form on our website, then join our WhatsApp group — that's how we confirm who's interested and available for upcoming openings.

It depends on the time of year and whether the season has already started — if hiring is already underway, everything can sometimes be sorted out within the same day.

Not formally. If you're planning to come to New Zealand for the season, you're welcome to join our WhatsApp group in the meantime to stay updated — but you can only complete your application once you're in New Zealand and have your IRD number.

You'll need a valid visa allowing you to work in New Zealand, a passport, an IRD number, and a New Zealand bank account.