---
title: 'Seasonal Orchard Work - Thinning 2026 at Mr Apple Careers site'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/seasonal-orchard-work-thinning-2026-mr-apple-careers-site-blyth-orchard-2t7t485n3zcg'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-17'
---

# Seasonal Orchard Work - Thinning 2026 at Mr Apple Careers site

- **Company:** Mr Apple Careers site
- **Location:** Blyth Orchard
- **Posted:** 2026-09-15
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-17
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/mrapplecareers/jobs/5231904007

## Job description

Looking for full-time work over your school or university holidays?

We have full-time apple thinning opportunities available across our orchards in Hastings, Napier and Central Hawke’s Bay from November through to December.

This is a great opportunity to earn money over summer, stay active outdoors and gain hands-on experience in New Zealand’s horticulture industry.

## What you'll be doing

Apple thinning is an important part of producing our high-quality apples. You will be removing excess apples from trees, helping the remaining apples to grow to the quality standards we’re known for around the world. You'll receive training and support from our experienced orchard teams.

This role involves:

- Working outdoors in a range of weather conditions
- Being on your feet for most of the day
- Repetitive hand and arm movements
- Carrying and working from ladders
- Walking across uneven orchard terrain
- Working as part of a team to meet quality and productivity targets

## What you'll bring

- Availability to work full-time throughout the thinning season (November to December)
- A good level of physical fitness and the ability to perform repetitive manual work
- Confidence working outdoors and on ladders
- Reliable transport to and from work each day
- A positive attitude, strong work ethic and willingness to learn
- Reliability and the ability to turn up ready to work each day
- The ability to work well as part of a team
- The legal right to work in New Zealand and the ability to pass pre-employment checks

Note: If you have exams, planned leave or other commitments, we encourage you to discuss these with us during the recruitment process.

## What we offer

- Hourly rate of $23.95, with piece rate opportunities available
- Full-time seasonal work
- Training and support from experienced orchard teams
- A great team environment where your contribution is valued
- The opportunity to stay active and work outdoors
- Exposure to New Zealand's largest apple growing and export business
- The chance to earn money and build experience over your summer break

## Who we are

At Mr Apple, apples are what we do. As New Zealand’s largest apple grower and exporter, we proudly grow, pack and market premium apples enjoyed around the world.

Our success comes from our people. With more than 2,00 team members from a wide range of background, we’re committed to creating opportunities for people to learn, develop and contribute to something they can be proud of.

Join us this summer and be a part of a team helping deliver the perfect crunch to customers around the world.

## About Mr Apple Careers site

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Mr Apple is New Zealand’s largest apple grower, packer, and exporter, responsible for exporting 25% of the country’s apple crop to over 45 countries worldwide.
- **Entity Type**: Private (subsidiary of Scales Corporation, a publicly listed company on the NZX under ticker SCL)
- **Headquarters**: Whakatu, Hastings, New Zealand
- **Founded**: 2001 (following the merger of the two largest apple growers after industry deregulation)
- **Founders**: Not publicly available (formed by merger of Grocorp Pacific Limited and another major grower)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Agriculture (apple growing, packing, and exporting)
- **Target customers**: B2B (international retailers, distributors, and wholesalers in over 45 countries)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To grow safe, crunchy, and delicious apples, underpinned by a 5 Point Promise to customers. The company’s vision is built on values of being “one team,” embracing diversity, acting with integrity, owning change, and always growing.

## Products & Services
- **Mr Apple Apples**: Premium fresh apples grown in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay region, exported to over 45 countries. The company manages the entire supply chain from orchard to coolstore to packhouse to customer.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed for Mr Apple directly. Parent company Scales Corporation (NZX: SCL) has a market cap of approximately NZD $500M–$600M (as of mid-2025).
- **Key Metric**: Exports 25% of New Zealand’s total apple crop annually.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Part of Scales Corporation, a 120+ year old NZ agribusiness. Partners with Pacific governments and NZ agencies for the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) programme.
- **Growth Signals**: 2,000+ strong team; exports to 45+ countries; significant investment in automation and technology in packhouses; continuous innovation in apple growing and post-harvest handling.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Scale & Market Position**: Largest apple grower/packer/exporter in New Zealand, controlling a significant share of the country’s premium export crop.
- **Vertical Integration**: Manages the entire value chain from orchard to coolstore to packhouse to global customer, ensuring quality control at every step.
- **Innovation & Technology**: Leaders in apple innovation and technology, with a dedicated automation journey and a Head of Technology Delivery driving continuous improvement.
- **Brand & Reputation**: Strong global brand built on a 5 Point Promise of safety, crunch, and taste; trusted by retailers in 45+ countries.

## Strategic Focus
- **Automation & Technology**: Investing heavily in packhouse automation and IT systems to improve efficiency and quality.
- **Workforce & RSE Programme**: Deep commitment to the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) programme, building strong partnerships with Pacific governments and agencies to ensure a reliable, well-cared-for workforce.
- **Sustainability & Innovation**: Continuous improvement in apple varieties, growing techniques, and post-harvest handling to maintain premium market position.
- **Global Market Expansion**: Growing export presence across 45+ countries with a focus on modern retail and brand storytelling.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Strong emphasis on being “one team,” with values of integrity, respect, diversity, and continuous improvement. The company celebrates difference and fosters a sense of belonging.
- **Work Environment**: Based in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, with roles spanning orchards, packhouses, coolstores, and a business support office in Whakatu. Roles range from hands-on seasonal work to professional careers in IT, finance, sales, marketing, logistics, and people & culture.
- **Growth & Development**: Strong commitment to “always growing” — both apples and people. The company invests in training and career development across all teams.
- **Diversity & Inclusion**: Actively embraces a richly diverse team, with a significant RSE programme bringing workers from Pacific nations. The Head of People & Culture leads a dedicated Health & Safety & Wellbeing team.
- **Work Arrangement**: On-site roles based in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Roles span seasonal/casual (packhouse, orchard, coolstore) to permanent professional positions (IT, finance, sales, marketing, HR).
- **Notable Perks**: Being part of a globally recognised brand; working in a beautiful region; opportunity to work across the full apple supply chain; strong focus on employee wellbeing and pastoral care for seasonal workers.

## Sources
1. [mrapple.com - Our Story](https://www.mrapple.com/en/our-story)
2. [mrapple.com - Work With Us](https://www.mrapple.com/en/work-with-us)
3. [mrapple.com - Work With Us (Business Support)](https://www.mrapple.com/en/work-with-us/business-support)
4. [mrapple.com - Homepage](https://www.mrapple.com/en)
5. [greenhouse.io - Mr Apple Careers](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/mrapplecareers)

## Other roles at Mr Apple Careers site

- [Pastoral Care Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/pastoral-care-coordinator-mr-apple-careers-site-whakatu-vrq969rq6bbr) — Whakatu, New Zealand
- [Communications & Content Partner](https://feeny.ai/job/communications-content-partner-mr-apple-careers-site-whakatu-278mmtes5t9n) — Whakatu, New Zealand
- [Export Sales Executive](https://feeny.ai/job/export-sales-executive-mr-apple-careers-site-whakatu-4tyzkt4hnfm8) — Whakatu, New Zealand
- [Orchard Foreman](https://feeny.ai/job/orchard-foreman-mr-apple-careers-site-remote-dvkpyzexrb35)
- [Orchardist / Orchard Experience Day](https://feeny.ai/job/orchardist-orchard-experience-day-mr-apple-careers-site-remote-k3dr6f67vr53)
- [Seasonal Orchard Work - Thinning 2026](https://feeny.ai/job/seasonal-orchard-work-thinning-2026-mr-apple-whakatu-ek67ktf8nn8a) — Whakatu, New Zealand