General Hand Hoki 2026

Sealord is one of the largest seafood companies in the Southern Hemisphere.  And with more than 60 years of fishing experience, farming, processing, and marketing operations, our business consistently delivers quality seafood to our customers around the world.

Established in 1961, Nelson Sealord is half owned by the Māori people of New Zealand, through Moana New Zealand (Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd), and half owned by global seafood company Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd (Nissui).  Sealord is one of the largest quota holders in New Zealand with partners and subsidiaries around the world through Nissui’s global links.  Sealord Group has fishing operations, which include all deep-water fishing activities as well as international and joint venture deep fishing activities, in New Zealand and Australia.

Sealord are now seeking expressions of interest for land-based factory workers based in Nelson, New Zealand for the 2026 Hoki season running from May until the end of September 2026. 

This is a great opportunity for someone looking for short term seasonal work to join a diverse workplace and learn new skills working as part of a collaborative team.

This will be a 24-hour, 7 day a week processing operation.  Employment will be full time, 40 hours per week worked over five days between Monday and Sunday.  Shift options of day, afternoon or night shift are available as detailed below. Overtime may be available on occasion.

Shift times are;

• Day Shift – 6am to 2.30pm
• Afternoon Shift – 2pm – 10pm
• Night Shift – 10pm – 6am 

Tasks / responsibilities include:

• Manufacturing product (fish) to specification
• Packing fish into required portions
• Trimming fish fillets (training will be provided)
• Undertaking production line cleaning tasks of equipment and work areas as required

Apply below if you:

• Are keen to learn new skills
• Are 100% committed to Health and Safety
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Are able to work in a fast-paced factory environment
• Are reliable and punctual
• Have good hand to eye coordination
• Are able to lift between 5-10kg when required
• Are able to hold and use a sharp knife (whilst good knife skills are beneficial, they are not essential as training will be provided)
• Are able to touch fish (ie no fish allergies)
• Are comfortable working in a cool factory environment

There are no minimum qualification or work experience requirements, full training will be provided.

Remuneration

You will be paid between $23.96 and $26.18 per hour.

If you work the afternoon shift, you will be paid an additional $11.05 per shift

If you work the night shift, you will be paid an additional $15.15 per shift.

A satisfactory pre-employment drug test, criminal history check, and a physical medical assessment will be required to be considered for this role.   

Applicants must have legal entitlement to live and work in New Zealand. If you are interested and able to fulfil the requirements, please register your details at www.sealord.com