Visit New Zealand at its best!
Work in the southern hemishere summer (September - March) with a great team of people for a down to earth company.
Kings run an international scheme to bring over Garden Centre employees for our spring and summer seasons, which fits in with the northern hemisphere winter. We have run the scheme for four years and the life changing experiences that we have seen in the sabbaticals has been very rewarding.
If you are interested in working for Kings Plant Barn, Auckland's leading garden centre chain, and you have the following qualities:
- Friendly, customer service based retail skills
- A good general knowledge of horticulture
- A willingness to learn new things
- Good understanding of the English language.
Send us your C.V today to jobs@kings.co.nz
Comments from some our international sabbaticals:
Bob Gordon
I came over to Kings Plant Barn in September of last year. I'd already
worked full time in the plant area of garden centre back home so it was a
smooth transition.
The great thing about the sabbatical scheme was that I didn't have to save
up a huge amount of money before I left home. I'd always wanted to travel,
but was put off by the experience of my friends who'd saved up a lot of
money to travel for 3 months and still come back home in debt. I had a job
ready and waiting for me when I arrived, and finding somewhere to stay
wasn't a problem. Kings gave me the opportunity to earn money whilst using
Auckland as a base to travel from, and to get a real sense of what life is
like in New Zealand. So when I go home I won't be in debt, and I'll have
spent longer travelling than my friends did.
The work at the Garden Centre is quite varied; I've learnt much about native
plants, and the different horticultural trends. And I've been able to take
the van out on deliveries, allowing me to see much of Auckland. I've had the
opportunity to get a Fork Lift licence and work in the water gardens. Also the team spirit is excellent and I always feel needed and I've made good friends with everyone.
But it doesn't end there! I'm going to stay on!
I've decided that I like
Kings so much that I could easily work here a lot longer.
I hope you will have an as good experience and that you'll find it as easy
to do as I have.
Bob Gordon
Forrest Hill branch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yvonne Etherington
Have you ever experienced work or life in New Zealand?
Well this is your chance. Fly over to the City of Sails and experience it Kiwi style.
Live, work and party in fantastic surroundings with great people. From what I have already experienced in the few months I’ve been here, is there are many opportunities all over the area that I live in, let alone in the rest of the country.
There is never a dull moment; you can get involved in so many different activities, ranging from sailing, snorkelling, diving and fishing to skydiving, bungy-jumping and many more. There are plenty of other things to see and do also, trips to go on and scenery to marvel at. You’re never at a loss as to what to do on a weekend!
I have worked for Kings Plant Barn for nearly six months now, and have already had the chance to meet every race and culture and experience a completely different lifestyle, not to mention see some fabulous scenery, and, of course make many new friends.
With working at Kings my plant knowledge has grown vastly. Genus that we grow in heated conservatories in the UK grow like weeds out here, some are even on the noxious weed list! The diversity of plant life that grows here is phenomenal. The locations that Kings have their stores are in areas that rarely get frosts so they stock a huge range of plants, some of which I have never seen before and are only grown over here. The planting of natives is encouraged a lot more also, so there are Maori common names to learn too!
Kings are a well established, reputable organisation with six branches in the Auckland area. Job applicants in the UK will find them easy to deal with and most helpful with the paperwork involved in obtaining the necessary permits for working in NZ.
So why not come over and have a experience you’ll never forget!
Yvonne Etherington. Dip. Hort. Wisley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hannah McCarthy
I headed for New Zealand in August last year to work at Kings Plant Barn.
Having already worked at a garden centre back in the UK I was able to adapt
smoothly to this new environment.
This was the opportunity I had been waiting for, the chance to live, work and travel in another country. I had always wanted to travel but, after university I was in too much debt to be able to go. Working for Kings gave me the ideal solution, I had a job waiting for me and accommodation was easy to find. I had a base to travel from and an income to support me so I could go and see all the amazing sites New Zealand has to offer. If like me, adventure sports are your thing then this is the place to be the opportunities are endless.
The work I have done at Kings is very varied, there are so many different
areas to work in and plenty to learn. I have had a chance to learn about
native plants and horticultural trends in New Zealand. I've been able to go
out on deliveries allowing me to see much of Auckland. I was made to feel
welcome and part of the team as soon as I arrived and have made friends with
everyone. I count myself lucky to be able to work with such a great group of
people.
For me the adventure does not stop there I have enjoyed working for Kings
and the New Zealand way of life so much that I have decided to stay on.
I hope that you have the same amazing experience that working here at Kings
has given me.
Hannah McCarthy
St Lukes Branch
