Plant Propagator

Burwood Nurseries, a division of Southern Fresh Foods Ltd, is seeking an experienced Plant Propagator to join our nursery team at our Cambridge operation.

Burwood Nurseries is one of New Zealand’s established fresh-cut flower growers, operating as part of Southern Fresh. Our operations are growing and our propagation team plays an important role in producing healthy, consistent plant material for our commercial flower-growing programme.

About the role

As a Plant Propagator, you will undertake nursery propagation work covering the production and establishment of young plants from cuttings, seedlings and other propagation material, through to planting and preparation of growing areas.

Key duties

• Take and prepare plant cuttings.
• Sow seeds and prepare propagation trays and growing media.
• Water, feed and care for seedlings, cuttings and young plants.
• Monitor plant health, rooting and growth.
• Transplant, pot and grade young plants.
• Set up and prepare tunnel houses for plant production.
• Plant young plants and established plants into tunnel houses and growing areas.
• Maintain clean propagation areas, tools and equipment.
• Follow nursery hygiene, biosecurity and health and safety procedures.
• Assist with other nursery and crop maintenance duties as required.

Pay and hours

Pay: $27.00 per hour 

Minimum guaranteed hours: 40 hours per week 

Employment: Full-time, permanent

Days of work: Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of the industry, occasional weekend work may be required.

There is no commission, piece-rate or other non-guaranteed component of the pay.

Minimum requirements

Applicants must have either:

• a relevant horticulture, nursery or plant propagation qualification; or
• at least 2 years of commercial nursery or plant propagation experience.

Applicants must also:

• be able to identify basic plant health and quality issues;
• be reliable and able to work as part of a team;
• be physically able to carry out normal nursery work; and be able to follow instructions, hygiene and safety procedures.