Casual Technical Assistant

About The Kiwifruit Breeding Centre (KBC)

Our vision at the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre is to deliver the world's most irresistible, healthy fruit. For Good. Through accelerated research, better fruit and better outcomes - for our people, our regions, our planet.

The Kiwifruit Breeding Centre is a 50/50 joint venture between the Bioeconomy Science Institute and Zespri International. We work together to drive greater innovation in kiwifruit breeding and to create healthier, better tasting and more sustainability-focused varieties to create more value for Aotearoa, New Zealand.

At KBC, we encourage the team to live by our K.I.W.I Values

• Be Keen – be positive, be proud and bring your best.
• Take the Initiative – have courage, get stuck in and enjoy your work.
• One Waka – pull together, achieve more, faster and trust and be trusted.
• Act with Integrity – respect each other, be open and honest and speak up.

We are looking for people, on a casual basis, to commence work from mid-January 2026 as seasonal Technical Assistants within our KBC Laboratory. Work should be available until mid-June 2026, with the possibility of extending beyond this date.

Please note: This work is seasonal and will be dependent on weather and fruit availability, so flexibility is required.

You will help our KBC Laboratory Team with a range of laboratory tasks including:

• Delivering and assessing fruit samples

• Processing fruit and conducting measurements

• Delivering data to the Kiwifruit Breeding Teams

• Ensuring that all fruit collections are carried out in an accurate, safe, and efficient manner

• Any other tasks as required by the Operations/Science Team

Qualifications and Experience

• Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy

• Strong communication and organisational skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel

• Ability to be flexible with the highs and lows of seasonal work which may involve working extended hours (including weekends) at times.

• For orchard work: be physically fit and flexible - able to lift up to 20kg, bend, and spend periods outdoors.

• For orchard work: A Full (or Restricted) clean driver licence

Kerikeri Location: 121 Keri Downs Road, Kerikeri 0294

Hours: Generally, between 8:00am and 4:30pm, Monday - Friday, with the possibility for more hours and some weekend work during peak times so flexibility is required.

Please request a copy of the Position Description from:

To Apply…

If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, fun, friendly, welcoming environment undertaking rewarding work, we'd love to hear from you. Please apply via our Seek advert.

Applications close at 5:00pm on Friday, 5 December 2025.

Please note: KBC will review resumes on a rolling basis and may invite shortlisted candidates to interview prior to the closing date. We recommend applying as early as possible for consideration.