Horticulture Internship — New Zealand
Seasonal paid training across the full commercial production cycle — from sapling to fruit packed for export.
Program overview
Gain hands-on experience across every stage of commercial horticulture: grafting, pruning, thinning, weeding, irrigation, crop monitoring and pest control, then harvest, quality control and packhouse operations including sorting, grading and packing fruit for export. Placements sit with major commercial growers, so you see large-scale technology and export standards first hand. Placements are with vetted New Zealand host employers, with Agrilivex managing matching, visa documentation and in-country support end to end.
Eligibility
- Diploma / B.Sc / M.Sc in Horticulture, Agriculture, Plant Science or allied fields
- Age 18–35 with a valid passport
- Conversational English — no IELTS required
- Physically fit for outdoor seasonal work in variable weather
- Reliable, punctual and comfortable with repetitive harvest-season shifts
Roles & Responsibilities
- Grafting, planting and young-tree or vine training
- Pruning, thinning and canopy management
- Irrigation, fertigation and soil moisture monitoring
- Crop scouting, pest and disease monitoring, spray record support
- Picking and harvesting to export quality specification
- Packhouse operations — sorting, grading, packing and QC checks
Skills You'll Learn
- Commercial production cycle from propagation to export
- Pruning and canopy management techniques by crop
- Integrated pest management and crop monitoring
- Irrigation scheduling and nutrient application
- Export grading standards and post-harvest handling
- Packhouse technology, traceability and food-safety compliance
Benefits
- Among the highest minimum wages worldwide — strong saving potential
- 100% student and trainee visa approval rate on the program to date
- Settlement support: travel, accommodation, bank account and orientation
- Full pastoral care for the whole internship
- Professional Growth Pathways for post-internship work, study or residency
- Work in one of the world's safest, cleanest and most inclusive countries
Structured week-by-week training.
Salary
Paid at or above the New Zealand minimum wage of NZD 23.95/hour (approx. USD 14.50). A minimum 30-hour average work week is guaranteed, and during peak harvest most interns work 45–72 hours per week — which is when earning and saving potential is highest.
Accommodation
Settlement team books shared accommodation near your workplace, typically around NZD 150 per week including utilities. Interns cover rent and food; airport arrival support, bank account setup and a cultural orientation induction are arranged for you.
Work Schedule
Guaranteed minimum 30-hour average week across the season, rising to 45–72 hours during harvest peaks. Rosters follow the crop cycle, with quieter weeks between harvest windows.
From application to arrival.
Student and Trainee Work Visa, lodged only after a confirmed job offer. Our New Zealand partner holds a 100% student and trainee visa approval rate and a 97.5% intern placement rate, with full pastoral care from acceptance through to settlement.
Documents required.
- Passport (minimum 18 months validity)
- Education certificates and transcripts
- Updated CV highlighting any horticulture or farm experience
- English proficiency proof (interview-based, no IELTS)
- Financial capacity documents for the visa
- Medical fitness certificate and police clearance
Frequently asked.
Which crops will I work with?
It depends on the region and season — commonly apples, onions, pumpkins, kiwifruit, berries and stonefruit, with possible exposure to cherries during their short harvest window.
What does the New Zealand program cost?
The New Zealand internship package for India is NZD 6,450 in total, covering eligibility and compliance checks (NZD 1,585), visa preparation and lodgement (NZD 1,690), placement, pre-departure orientation, pastoral care and settlement (NZD 1,720) and the NZ Government immigration fee (NZD 1,455). Flights, weekly rent (approx. NZD 150) and food are your own cost.
How soon can I start the New Zealand program?
Intakes run through the year around the horticulture season. From a complete application, most candidates depart within 3–4 months once matching, offer and visa steps are done.
Start your New Zealand internship journey.
Submit your application — we'll match you with certified host farms and guide the visa end-to-end.
Apply Now