It is estimated the industry will need another 2,000 permanent employees and 4,000 seasonal employees within the next few years. This future growth is dependent on the ability to attract and retain young people who are highly skilled and enthusiastic and develop them to become our industry’s future leaders.
The Kiwifruit Book is a free resource for secondary school teachers and new growers covering relevant and current information; from the kiwifruit industry structure to methods kiwifruit growers use to protect their orchards from frost.
Please email NZKGI or call 0800 232 505 if you would like more information on featured topics in this book, or to contribute to the next edition.
The NZKGI Horticulture Career Pathways Illustration shows the wide range of career opportunities available within the horticulture industry. From science careers to orchard management positions use this illustration to find your pathway into a career in horticulture.
By completing these taster courses, you will learn about the horticulture industry, from seed to plate. These modules can help you understand where your food comes from, how important the fruit and vegetable industry are to New Zealand, and discover exciting roles you could enter when you finish school.
Is this course for me?
Become familiar with all aspects of the horticulture industry. Develop an idea of what is involved in growing and distributing produce and how you can contribute. Explore roles and responsibilities and how your transferable skills might fit.
In this course, you will:
Is this course for me?
The orchard and field are exciting and rewarding places to work. In this course, you will become familiar with how orchards are managed. You will explore how trees, money, resources and people are all an essential part of growing delicious fruit and vegetables.
In this course, you will:
Is this course for me?
New Zealand’s horticulture industry values innovation and in this course, you will explore what this looks like. You will become familiar with some of the challenges facing the horticulture industry and how these challenges are being met.
In this course, you will:
Is this course for me?
The future is here! In this course you will explore the innovations that are happening in the packhouse. Robotic arms, autonomous sorting machines and many more solutions are helping to get great fruit and vegetables to the consumer quickly. If you are interested in finding out about, and eventually working in this exciting area of horticulture, then this course is for you.
In this course, you will:
Is this course for me?
We all have a responsibility to protect our horticulture industry from invasive pest and diseases and in this course, you will find out how this is done. Whether you are interested in working on an orchard, in the field or in a packhouse, knowing how to protect trees and produce from pest and diseases is essential. In this course you will become familiar with plant protection and the systems and tools we use to do this.
In this course, you will:
Is this course for me?
We are guardians of the land and it is our responsibility to ensure we are looking after the land for generations to come. In this course you will discover how Kaitiakitanga is a central part of New Zealand’s horticulture story. You will explore how we are looking after the land and you’ll consider what contributions you can make to this important work.
In this course, you will:
Is this course for me?
The world loves New Zealand produce but it is a challenge getting it to them and ensuring it meets their expectations. In this course you will explore how we distribute fruit and vegetables to the world and ensure the customer is getting what they want. Taste, quality, and timeliness are all essential considerations and logistics, marketing and research all have a part to play in this.
In this course, you will:
Is this course for me?
New Zealand’s success at growing world class produce is the result of great people, collaborating towards a common goal. Managing or leading large teams of people is an essential skill for any orchard, field or packhouse manager. In this course you will gain an understanding of how to effectively lead people while keeping them safe and feeling valued.
In this course, you will: