Friday, 08 November 2019 09:55

More RSE workers still needed

Written by  Staff Reporters
The RSE scheme enables workers from the Pacific to come to NZ for six or seven months for harvest and pruning. The RSE scheme enables workers from the Pacific to come to NZ for six or seven months for harvest and pruning.

HortNZ says the Government is moving in the right direction with its increase in recognised seasonal employers (RSE) workers.

But it says even more RSE workers are still needed to support horticulture’s big growth.

RSE is the name for the seasonal labour scheme where workers from the Pacific come to NZ for six to seven months for harvest and pruning. Once that work is done they return home to their families in the Pacific.

“RSE workers are playing a key role in the horticulture industry’s continued growth in response to rising export and domestic demand,” says HortNZ chief executive, Mike Chapman.

“NZ’s horticulture export revenue jumped 13.7% to $6.1 billion in the year to June 30, 2019. It’s expected to grow by another 3.8% to $6.3b in the current financial year.

“This growth is why we asked the Government for an even greater increase in RSE worker numbers, to support our growth and make up for the shortage of available NZ workers, particularly during peak times like harvesting and pruning.”

Chapman says it is good to have certainty for the current season and next season. The Government has provisionally announced that another 1600 RSE workers will be added, pushing the total from 14,400 this season to 16,000.

He says the RSE scheme has enabled the continued expansion of fruit, vegetable and wine grape growing in NZ. 

“The availability of RSE workers also gives certainty to NZ businesses so they can continue to grow and employ additional permanent NZ workers.”

Hort NZ says last season Pacific RSE workers earned at least NZ$50 million. 

More like this

Food security crucial

Hort NZ chair Barry O'Neil says food supply and security is fundamental to New Zealand's future.

How hort fared in 2023

For the country's horticultural sector, it's been a year that started off with the worst weather imaginable. It also had plenty of drama and intrigue and ended up with us getting a new tri-party government that has collectively promised to fix everything! Peter Burke reports.

Optimism grows

HorticultureNZ chair Barry O'Neil believes the mood in the sector is more positive than it's been all year.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter