Everything you need to know about the WHV in Nelson

The unemployment rate in Nelson is relatively low at 3%, which is below the national average. The main industries in Nelson are agriculture, horticulture, forestry and fishing. Other major employers for working holiday makers are tourism, catering, hotels and sales. It’s possible to pick up a temporary job for a few weeks/months, but it is difficult for backpackers to find work out of season.

Horticulture (vineyards, apples, kiwis, hops)

The best time to look for work in this industry is:

• March to June: picking and packing
• June to September: pruning
• November to January: thinning (i.e. removing some of the fruit from the trees to make room for better growth)

During these three main seasons, you are likely to be paid based on your performance, rather than by the hour. It can be a good way of making money if you are a fast worker, but it can also lead to low wages if you struggle with physical work. In between seasons, it’s hard for even locals to find work, and you are likely to experience periods of unemployment.

How to get a job in horticulture

Going door to door is the easiest method. If you have a vehicle, drive around looking for vineyards, orchards or farms that have signs on the side of the road saying “Staff wanted”. You can also make a phone call or go in and ask directly at the reception if there are any upcoming vacancies.

Finally, make sure you ask around, as Nelson is a small city and many locals will know someone who works in this sector. Word of mouth is particularly effective if you’re staying in a youth hostel, as you may meet other backpackers already working in the industry.

Hospitality, catering and tourism

The high season starts in October and ends in March, with a peak in the region during the school/summer holidays in December and January. After March, Nelson empties out! Restaurants, cafes and hotels will happily hire working holiday makers.

It’s harder to break into the tourism industry, which is mainly staffed by locals. However, you might be able to land work as a tour guide or, more likely, working on reception and taking bookings for the tour operator.

How to get a job in hospitality, catering and tourism

For hospitality and catering, going door to door is still common. Print out several copies of your CV and drop them off at the restaurants, cafes, hotels, hostels, etc. You will also find ads on Trade Me in the “Hospitality & Tourism” section.

For tourism, you will have more luck by looking online on Trade Me, Seek and Facebook. You can also check the job ads in the local newspapers like The Leader (regional), The Guardian (Motueka) or the Nelson Mail (Nelson).

Click here to read about pvtistes team member Pamela’s experience working in the tourism industry in Abel Tasman.

Fishing

The fishing industry is actually factory work at Talley’s in Motueka. Talley’s employs over 400 people on site and some seasonal positions are open to backpackers. Working on the assembly line in a fish factory is not necessarily what many backpackers would consider a dream job, but if you want to top up your savings, Talley’s offers plenty of shifts with long hours. The high season runs from July to September, when the factory operates six days a week and stays open overnight.

How to get a job in the fishing industry

Talley’s specifies on its website to apply via ads posted on Trade Me, Seek or My Job Space. If you have any specific questions, you can send an email to [email protected].