Technical Assistant

 Date: August 2026Ref:  Position | Tūranga:  Technical Assistant - Berryfruit Team | Tīma:Berry TeamGroup | Rōpū:Premium Crops and TechnologiesPortfolio | Aronga:New Cultivar InnovationResponsible to | Tō kaiwhakahaere:Research Technologist, Berry TeamLocation | Wāhi:MotuekaKey Relationships | Ngā hononga matua:Berry Team, MotuekaPurpose of the Position | Whāinga o te Tūranga

To provide practical technical support to the berryfruit breeding programmes, with a focus on plant maintenance, fruit harvest and accurate data collection. The role includes potting, propagation, weeding, pruning, transplanting, harvesting and laboratory-based measurements.

Accountabilities | Ngā whakaritenga 

• Safely operate tractors, forklifts and other equipment as required.
• Assist with fruit harvest and post-harvest measurements, including accurate data collection.
• Move pots, transplant plants and support potting and propagation activities.
• Weed and maintain potted plants and trial plots.
• Assist with pruning blueberry and Rubus plants.
• Maintain accurate plant identification and separation by following labels, spacing requirements and hygiene procedures.
• Complete other practical tasks as required to support the berryfruit breeding programmes.
• Follow all health, safety and wellbeing requirements, take reasonable care to prevent harm to yourself and others, and participate in required training.

Person Specification | Ngā tino pūkenga me ngā wheakoProfessional experience and technical skills

• At least two years’ experience in an orchard, nursery, gardening or similar horticultural role.
• Practical plant-care experience, including watering, planting, potting, propagation, pruning, weeding and recognising signs of poor plant health.
• Knowledge of plant pests and diseases, plant varieties and biosecurity practices.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to manage numerous small plant lots and follow plant labels, spacing requirements, hygiene procedures and work instructions accurately.
• Confidence using hand tools, chemicals and personal protective equipment safely, together with sound manual-handling practices.
• Experience operating forklifts and tractors is an advantage.
• Able and willing to work outdoors in varied weather conditions and undertake physical work for extended periods.
• A reasonable level of physical fitness, including the ability to stand, bend, carry and lift large pots safely.
• A full, current New Zealand driver licence.
• Applicants must already have the legal right to work in New Zealand. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Availability to work additional hours during the harvest season, when required.

Personal skills and attributes

• Teamwork and communication: Works cooperatively with supervisors and colleagues, listens carefully, asks questions when unsure, and promptly reports plant health, pest, equipment, biosecurity or safety concerns.
• Reliability and time management: Is punctual, dependable and able to complete repetitive tasks efficiently while maintaining quality.
• Adaptability and initiative: Moves effectively between tasks, responds positively to changing priorities, and shows enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
• Practical judgement: Identifies routine issues, follows procedures and seeks guidance when a problem is outside their experience or authority.

Measures of Performance | Paearu mahi 

Performance will be reviewed through regular discussions with the immediate manager and, where applicable, through the annual Performance, Planning and Review (PPR) process.