Student Opportunity - Seasonal Kiwifruit Lab Technician


Are you a Year 11 – 13 high school student (aged 15 or over) looking for a fantastic employment opportunity during March to May 2025? 

Expressions of interest are now open - Spread the word that we have roles for you and your mates to join our Seasonal Kiwifruit Laboratory team in Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty. What other place can you earn money before or after school? 

This is a great role, no experience required, full training will be provided with a range of shift hours available including: 

  • Before school (6am – 8am) 
  • Or after school (4pm - 10pm) 
  • Weekends 

THE ROLE (FOR STUDENTS) 

Seasonal Kiwifruit Laboratory Technicians carry out routine kiwifruit maturity testing on samples on behalf of our client Zespri to determine if samples meet minimum clearance criteria and assess fruit quality. 

This role is for a Fixed term period from March to May, you choose the days you are available to work. 

There are two shifts available

For Main shift (4pm - 10pm): You will be required to be available to work 3 days per week (including at least one weekend day). 

For Morning shift: You will be required to be available to work a minimum of 3 days per week (including at least one weekend day). 

Opportunities on weekends/school holidays to do extra hours. 

Key Focus

Routine maturity testing on samples that may include: 

  • Weight, Firmness, Colour, Dry Matter, Brix, Seeds 
  • Fruit Disposal 
  • Cleaning 

ABOUT YOU 

  • Self-disciplined with proven ability to follow set procedures and take the initiative when necessary 
  • Team player, able to create a good working relationship with other staff in the team and across the company 
  • Ability to demonstrate resilience and adapt quickly to change 
  • Good analytical/technical skills – attention to detail, accuracy & precision 
  • Good level of English and basic computer skills 
  • A desire to proactively look for continual improvement 
  • Flexible with hours of work, recognising that this work is seasonal and has peaks and troughs throughout the season whilst accommodating school commitments 
  • Willing to work additional hours as required 
  • Be able to get yourself to and from our laboratory at Mount Maunganui 
  • Have your own cell phone for receiving text messages (to receive shift information/communications) 

WHAT WE OFFER 

  • A variety of shift hours suitable for school students (Must be aged 15yrs or over) 
  • Our laboratory operations start ahead of the kiwifruit harvest and offer a variety of tasks 
  • Central Mount Maunganui location (right next to Baypark) with close proximity to Tauranga and Papamoa 
  • Year 11’s Pay rate $20.36 + 8% Holiday Pay 
  • Year 12 onwards pay rate $25.45 + 8% Holiday Pay 
  • Productivity based incentives 

Hill Labs is a family-friendly, values driven and mature New Zealand owned business.  As a Seasonal Kiwifruit Laboratory Technician you will be part of a great team providing services to the wider Kiwifruit industry. This is a great opportunity to gain experience working with one of NZs leading commercial laboratories. 

HOW TO APPLY 

If this role sounds like a good fit for you, register your interest by clicking Apply Now.

Please note this opportunity is specifically for high school students however we will also have other seasonal laboratory roles advertised too, closer to the start of the 2025 season - please refer to our Careers Centre for more details on what additional roles we currently have available or register to receive ‘job alerts’ for further opportunities 

Apply now

Fixed Term

Job no: Student_'25_16128531

Location: Bay of Plenty

Closing Date: Sunday, 2 March 2025