Apprentice Engineer (Maintenance)

This is a big one for us.

T&G is opening its first Apprentice Engineer intake in a long time, and we’re looking for someone who genuinely wants to learn, get hands on, and build a long term career in engineering within a world class manufacturing environment.

If you’re practical, curious, safety focused, and serious about completing your apprenticeship, this is a rare opportunity to learn from an experienced team and be part of something growing fast.

About the role

As an Apprentice Maintenance Engineer, you’ll support our maintenance and operations teams across our packhouse and coolstore environments in Hastings. You’ll gain real, hands on experience maintaining, repairing, and operating complex production equipment while working toward a Level 4 Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) apprenticeship.

This is not a narrow fitter/turner or purely electrical role. Over time, this apprenticeship is designed to evolve into a dual trade pathway, combining mechanical maintenance with exposure to electrical service work (under supervision and within compliance requirements).

You’ll work alongside a tight-knit maintenance team of seven, learning the right way to work from the start, no bad habits, no shortcuts.

What you’ll be learning and doing

Machine maintenance & repair

• Assist with diagnosing and repairing faults on packhouse machinery

• Support planned and preventive maintenance programmes

• Clean, lubricate, adjust, and carry out basic mechanical repairs

• Assist with machine setup and calibration for daily production

Breakdown support

• Attend breakdowns and support qualified tradespeople to identify root causes

• Help return equipment to service safely and efficiently

• Record maintenance work in CMMS and maintenance logs

Technical & workshop exposure

• Hands-on work with tools, lathes, milling machines, benders/folders (manual)

• Welding exposure (MIG / TIG / Stick)

• Pneumatics, fault finding, and understanding system principles

• Parts management and maintenance planning support

Training & development

• Complete all required coursework, block courses, and on-the-job training

• Attend formal training through providers

• Shadow experienced engineers and electricians

• Build capability to eventually work confidently on the production floor

Health & safety

• Lead by example with safe work practices

• Follow all T&G health, safety, and risk management processes

• Report incidents, hazards, and near misses accurately

What we’re looking for

We can teach skills. We can’t teach attitude.

You’ll ideally have:

• A pre-apprenticeship qualification or be in Year 1 of an engineering apprenticeship

• Proven commitment to completing your apprenticeship and coursework

• Strong mechanical aptitude and a hands-on mindset

• A willingness to learn, ask questions, and take feedback

• Solid numeracy and literacy, the book work matters

• Flexibility to work across shifts as required

Why join T&G?

• Be part of New Zealand’s most advanced and optimised packhouse

• Work in a clean, modern, well resourced facility with top tier safety equipment

• Learn from an experienced team that genuinely wants to develop you

• Access excellent on-site facilities including cafés and gymnasiums

• Support with block courses, training, and apprenticeship requirements

• Be part of a business aiming to be world class by 2030, doubling production and pushing boundaries in agri-tech

By 2030, this site will be the largest production packhouse in the Southern Hemisphere. If you want to understand how cutting edge manufacturing really works, and help keep it running at its best, this is the place to start.

Ready to get started?

If you’re motivated, hands on, and serious about building a future in engineering, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and be part of something being built for the long term.

Proof of eligibility to work in New Zealand is required for all applicants and any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory drug test, credit check, driver licence check, and security check.

We want T&G to be a place where everyone is accepted, respected and celebrated for who they are – regardless of our similarities or differences. It’s essential that everyone can be themselves and thrive, and that together we create a diverse and vibrant workplace.