Working on a Kiwi Orchard in NZ

Working on a Kiwi orchard in NZ

How we found this job? 

There are jobs offered online at backpackerboard.nz. We contacted a guy who offered some jobs on his kiwi orchard. Eventually all positions were full when we called him and he gave us the contact number of Cathy.  Then we got the job after some phone calls. It's easy at the beginning of the season. But it will get more difficult later because everyone wants to work and there will be heaps of backpackers in the country. 

Knastschwestern Crew

What do you need to start to working in NZ: 

1. NZ bank account 

2. IRD number 

3. Contact number 

4. valid work visa 

5. Passport 

6. probably transport (car/van)

7. enough food and water

First day of work: hard but nice! We met Cathy, our contact who organized our job. She is super friendly and explained us everything what we needed to know. The kiwi orchard is about 10 hectares big and we should do around 5 hectares. Our job was to do fruit thinning. That means to pick the bad and ugly fruits and drop them to the ground. Only healthy and nice kiwis can survive. This is one of the important maintenance for a kiwi orchard. The actual picking will start in March. Now he Kiwi fruits are still very small. 

Kiwi Orchard 1

Kiwi Orchard 2

Kiwi Orchard 3

The work is pretty easy: the fruits are growing head high and there is always a bit of shade. We are only allowed to work when it's dry and sunny. If it's raining we would have off. Our neck and shoulders are sore after the first day. But it's ok. Our supervisor Bhalla is nice. He is from India (like all the other workers) and was looking after us during the day. 

We get payed per hour. It's the minimum wage + 8% holiday fee. 

Kiwi Thinning

More Kiwis

Second day of work:

Our neck and shoulders didn't feel too bad. We continued working at 07:30am-06:00pm with 30min break. It was alright and happily it was almost cloudy during the day. That means it wasn't too hot and less sunburn. At our first day of work we only worked 6h from noon because we had to wait until everything was dry from the rain. There were 2 more German backpackers joining our work at that day. We are planning to work here for 2-3 weeks and get along with the Indians very well. They are friendly and we share the bathroom and the kitchen (which is in their bedroom too). We sleep in our cars with a nice view to the ocean. 

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How we feel after 1 week of work:
We only last working for 8 days. We quit. 
Why?
There were a few reasons but the reason for me was I couldn't be bothered to do this boring and primitive work anymore. Others had physicals problems.

Conclusion: 
Good experience but nothing for me. There are a few backpackers working there for months. Big respect for them!! It's easy money but nothing I would do again.

My first week in NZ

My first week in NZ

First, I was pretty sad when I took off with the plane from the Goldcoast to Auckland. Ok I thought then: 'new country, new adventure'. Australia was epic and I fell in love with this country. I had 10 jobs, heaps of surfing and got to know lots of awesome people and places. 

My Jobs in OZ 2016:

1 week: Tomatofarm (Shepparton VIC)

1 month: Blueberryfarm (Woolgoolga NSW)

1 month: Aupair (Beenleigh QLD)

5 month: Hostel Staff (Agnes Water QLD)

2 days: Gardener (Agnes Water QLD)

2 weeks: Kitchenhand (Agnes Water QLD)

4 month: Barista (Agnes Water QLD)

2 month: Surf Photographer (Agnes Water QLD)

4 month: Hostel Manager (Agnes Water QLD)

3 days: Travel Blogger (Airlie Beach QLD) 

Note: I've done a few jobs at the same time.

The Fern

Auckland:

I arrived in Auckland and the first thing I noticed: it's so cold!. I directly put my jumper on. With all my luggage (20kg big backpack, 7kg small backpack, a skateboard and a surfboard), I was wandering around Auckland until I found my couchsurfing-host. Vagner and Lucas from Brazil hosted me. They are super friendly and gave me a shot tequila on my first night and took me to a bar with Sybil (USA), the other couchsurfer. I felt like I met 20 brazilians but I am also happy that I met Okko (Japan) and Lilly (NZ) and totally recommend to stay with the two boys at their flat. Then I already heard: 'Germans are everywhere'. I noticed this later on on my bus to Raglan. 

Second night in Auckland: after spending time in the library, organizing a sim card, using the wifi and finishing some sketches, we had thanks giving. We made mashed potato with cheese and a turkey. Then we took the Uber to another flat and then booooom: 30 brazilians, me, Sybill, Okko and Lilly. It was awesome! Heaps of food, Brazilian and American music in the background and everybody was eating and talking. This was my first thanks giving. 

Raglan:

After I messaged Lena, my friend from back home, that I am coming to Ragland to see her, she told me she is on a road trip with someone. 'But Marie will look after you!' So then I arrived at the library, was using the wifi and waiting for Marie. She is awesome! She picked me up and took me to the campsite. Falk and Nick were there as well. Second day: Surfing with Falk in the messy water. Was fun and so cold. Lena wasn't in Raglan, so I hang out with these guys at first...

What to do in Ragland at the weekend:

1. Hotel: Double Gin Tonic ($7)

2.1. Yot Club: Saturday night!!

2.2. Yot Club: Sunday Session!!

3. Shack: Hangover Brunch + Bloody Mary!

I was hanging around with those guys until Lena came back. I was sleeping on the camping ground and in some cars somewhere. 

View of Waikato Region

Fern Forest

Mount Maunganui/Tauranga:

Then Sam, Marie and me started a road trip to Mount Maunganui which is located 2h away at the east coast. Lena came a few days later but Sam was with us. We were very disappointed when we arrived there. We wanted to go back to Raglan! There were so many houses, lots of traffic and a big  industrial harbor. And the mount. We first checked out the beach and that was nice. But no waves. It's worth to do the walk around the mount and to '!!!climb!!!' up to the summit. I don't like hiking and I nearly died during the walk but the view was epic. I grew up in the mountains but really don't like hikes and heights. I still do some but I can't enjoy it. I am more a water person. 

Beachwalk

Anyway, the cheapest holiday park was fully booked (and no we don't pay more than $10 for any accommodation) and we had no place to stay, so we stayed at the memorial park in Tauranga City. Please note: It is not an offical camping area. It's just a normal park.

Flora, Marie and Sam

Mount Maunganui Beach and Town

Rotorua:

Rotorua is located more inland and south of Tauranga. The nature is amazing and there are some breathtaking sceneries such as the Okere Waterfall and some hot springs . It's worth to stay there for one or two nights. I love the redwoods. It's a forest with incredible high trees and crazy crystal clear water. 

The Water in the Red Wood

Red Woods

Okere Falls

Waihau Bay:

After having some phone calls and checked out at backpackerboard.nz for some available jobs, we had a job confirmed. Orchard work on a kiwi farm. We were so excited! Before we arrived at Waihau Bay (which is located close to the East Cape), we stayed in Opotiki for a night. We had a coffee in a cozy Cafe called 'two fish cafe' and checked out the library for some wifi. Yes again.  Mobile network is horrible in NZ! Unfortunately the cafe gave us some blueberry muffins after they have closed during the arvo. We were so happy that we got those presents! Super nice people! We come back there again! 

Last but not least: after arriving at Waihau Bay, some fisherman gave us a fresh caught snapper and an other big fish (forgot the name). He saw us and asked randomly: 'hey girls, do you want to have some fish?' WTF???? Yes of course we do! He asked if we know how to filled and cook it. Yes I do. A little bit. I filled my first fish by myself for the first time!!! I have done it before but only with someone who showed it to me. 

The Snapper and his big friend

Fish in the Pan

What a wicked day! Free homemade blueberry muffins and fresh caught fish! Kiwis are nice! But please be aware: no reception at all after Opotiki along the whole east coast! Which was ok for me and also nice just not to be available. 

Kiwi Orchard in Waihau Bay

What surprised me in NZ: 

There are many many Chinese people in Auckland! And I haven't thought that the Maori culture is big in NZ. I have heard from the culture before but never knew they are here in NZ as well (originally from Polynesia). Also there are some Indians living along the east coast and doing orchard work. 

That's interesting to see that there are a few big ethnic groups living here. 

Tomorrow we start working and I see you guys more in the next blog post. 

Cheers Flora