Thinking about doing Fruit Picking In NZ for 3-4 months

I am a 32 year old American who is planning to quit his job in January and travel to NZ for 3-4 mths. I would like to pay for my travels by doing fruitpicking for most of the time, with maybe a little bit of wwoofing.

Can anyone tell me how hard it will be to get a work visa? according to the NZ embassy website, there are a couple of different visas they give out for short term, seasonal labor work, one of which requires an employer to collect the paperwork before a worker arrives in NZ. Would it be difficult for me to just go to NZ with my passport ( i believe americans can enter visa-free for three months) , find work, and have the employer fill out the paperwork there? what about trying to work without a work permit? what about some sort of work permit that would allow me to work multiple temporary jobs? (id hate to have a bad experience with one employer but because of the visa, be forced to either work for that employer or quit working).

I am above the age for a "work year" visa. I hope it isnt too much of a headache for me to secure the proper documentation. Otherwise i probably wont do the trip, i cant afford to travel without doing some work on the side.

Any info anyone can give me is greatly appreciated. Id love to experience NZ. Thanks!

The answer is probably very difficult, because its much easier to hire someone with the correct visa. Your only chance is to get an employer to sponsor you and this is too much hassle for fruit picking. I know your pain, i'm 32 and can't get a WHV anywhere either...

If you did find work it will be underpaid, otherwise the employer doesn't get any benefit out of hiring you plus its illegal for them and they are taking a risk.

Bunac.

Age limit 35.

For fruit picking the one you're talking about is on <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.picknz.co.nz">Pick NZ</a> Its not difficult to get and is quite legitimate.

Therefore #1's reply isnt correct for NZ.

In the peak fruitpicking seasons in the main fruit-growing areas (e.g. the Hawkes Bay) immigration people are onsite to do the paperwork for a seasonal work visa on the spot. You can see the information about the current scheme here - it expires at the end of the month, but is likely to be replaced. Watch out for organisations wanting to get you a fruit picker visa for a fee - they're not exactly necessary.