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

Horticulture exports hit $8.4B, surge toward $10B by 2029

A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Overbearing?

OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…

Foot-in-mouth

OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter