Design & Machining Assistant – Luxury Apparel

Design & Machining Assistant – Luxury Apparel

BONZ is one of New Zealand’s oldest luxury apparel brands, known for our handcrafted shearling garments, knitwear, and homewares since 1972. Every piece we produce reflects New Zealand’s natural beauty, fine materials, and world-class craftsmanship.

As we continue to grow, we’re looking for a talented and motivated Design & Machining Assistant to join our factory team in Invercargill. This hybrid position combines creative design and patternmaking support with hands-on garment machining on the production floor. It’s a rare opportunity to gain genuine design experience while developing specialist skills in luxury apparel manufacturing.

The Opportunity

This is a diverse and rewarding role where you’ll spend time assisting our design team with product development, sampling, and pattern adjustments, while also contributing to the production of our finished garments.

You’ll work closely with our Head Machinist, Head Designer, and wider factory team - learning how new designs are created, refined, and brought to life. When design and pattern work is lighter, you’ll move onto the machining floor, sewing production garments using premium, natural, New Zealand materials.

With our Head Designer transitioning at the end of the year, this is an exciting opportunity to grow with the team and build a foundation in both creative and technical areas of fashion.

What You’ll Do

Assist the design team with patternmaking, sampling, and new product development.

Support with pattern adjustments, fit checks, and technical design details.

Operate industrial sewing machines (walking foot, needle feed, and overlocker) to produce finished garments when design work is not required.

Learn specialist techniques for working with premium materials, including shearling and lambskin.

Work collaboratively within a small, skilled, and supportive team environment.

Who You Are

A confident machinist with experience using industrial sewing machines.

Passionate about design, patternmaking, and learning the creative process behind garment development.

Detail-oriented, precise, and proud of producing quality work.

Reliable, motivated, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a close-knit team.

Eager to grow your design and technical skills within a luxury New Zealand brand.

You don’t need to be an experienced patternmaker – we’ll train you. What matters most is your craftsmanship, creativity, and desire to learn how great garments are designed and made.

Why Join BONZ

At BONZ, you’ll be part of a brand that has proudly produced luxury garments in Southland for over 50 years. You’ll gain real-world experience in design, patternmaking, and garment production, working with materials and techniques rarely found elsewhere in New Zealand.

We offer :

A full-time, permanent role with a respected New Zealand fashion brand.

Mentorship and hands‑on training in design, patternmaking, and luxury garment construction.

Opportunities to develop specialist skills and progress within the business.

Friday afternoons off and no weekend work.

A friendly, creative environment that values craftsmanship and teamwork.

Ready to create something extraordinary?

Send your CV and a short cover letter to

• @bonz.com or apply directly through this Seek Advert

To learn more about us, visit

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