Construction Technician

At Southern Cross Horticulture our goal is to develop and manage the world's best Kiwifruit Orchards.

To deliver on this, we need skilled hands building the structures that allow the fruit to thrive. We are currently looking for an Orchard Hammer Hand to join our team, where you will help construct orchard infrastructure. This is hands-on, physical work where the quality of what you build has a direct impact on the orchards we're known for.

In this role you'll work across our sites erecting posts, installing hail net, repairing structures, and operating machinery including elevated platforms (Hydraladder), tractors, and side-by-sides. We are looking for hard-working people with good communication skills, a safety-first mindset, and pride in a job well done. Our team works long days on the orchard in the heat, so we require physically fit individuals for this position.

You will work a minimum 30 hours per week, usually Monday - Friday with the odd weekend work shift available. Normal hours will be around 40-45 per week, weather depending. This position is based in the Bay of Plenty and you will be required to work across a variety of Orchards and locations, predominantly around Pukehina.

Key responsibilities include:

Constructing and repairing orchard infrastructure to a high standard, on time, following our SOPs and technical build specifications

Operating machinery and equipment safely, including tensioning wire with a winch, post ramming, and working at height

Maintaining tools, equipment and machinery according to set schedules

Complying with health and safety protocols, including site check-ins, risk and incident reporting, and pre-start machine checks

Wearing appropriate PPE and following all orchard rules and regulations

Bringing an attitude of innovation to improve work, material and equipment efficiency

Supporting other aspects of our operation across the business as needed

Who we're looking for:

We are looking for people who love hands-on, physical work and take pride in building things right. Your background will ideally have:

Around 3 years of building or labouring experience, ideally in orchard construction or establishment work (advantageous but not essential)

Physical fitness and the ability to work at heights (preferred)

A proficient and safe approach to operating machinery

Attention to detail and a strong initiative

A positive mindset — living above the line

Effective communication skills

A valid Full New Zealand Driver License

Southern Cross Horticulture is a family-owned business and one of New Zealand's most successful orchard developers. We're known for creating and managing world-class kiwifruit orchards, and we take pride in the quality of our work, our people, and the strong values we live by every day — including giving back, with our team leading participation in community events throughout the year.

To be successful in this position we require a valid working visa for New Zealand.

To Apply

Apply for the role via Seek with your CV attached.

For more information about Southern Cross Horticulture Ltd visit: www.southerncrosshorticulture.co.nz