increase font size
NZKGI chief executive Nikki Johnson.
NZ Kiwifruit Growers (NZKGI) is creating a new role of labour coordinator as it envisages another seasonal labour shortage this year.
In 2018, the Bay of Plenty kiwifruit industry at harvest time had 1200 vacancies it was unable to fill.
The labour coordinator will aim to attract extra workers and increase the coordination of available labour for harvest and winter pruning.
The coordinator will also maintain sustainable labour sources to support the growth of the industry in Bay of Plenty where at least 80% of kiwifruit is grown. New Zealanders will be given priority to work, particularly people from Work and Income.
The labour coordinator role will be funded by the Provincial Growth Fund, the Ministry of Social Development and New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers and is expected to run through until the end of 2020.
“Ensuring a sustainable supply of labour is the kiwifruit industry’s top priority. The growing appetite for our fruit means we need more people to pick, pack and prune,” NZKGI chief executive Nikki Johnson says. “Luckily Bay of Plenty has beautiful beaches and is an attractive area to come to work.”
The kiwifruit industry has also recently set out to attract more pickers and packers to work in Bay of Plenty between April and June.
Its campaign targest backpackers, retirees, students and unemployed; it is sending articles aimed at backpackers to European media. The campaign is supported by kiwifruit industry stakeholders under the BOP Labour Governance Group.
“NZ kiwifruit production will increase from 123 million trays in 2017 to 190 million trays by 2027. To meet this demand the industry will need at least 7000 extra seasonal workers over the next 10 years”, says Johnson.
The increased labour demand stems from industry expansion coupled with low unemployment and a lack of backpackers and international students.
NZKGI is also working to improve the consistency of seasonal work, accommodation, welfare, transport and perceptions of pay rates.
The head of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers organisation NZKGI says the points raised in a report about the sector by Waikato University professor Frank Scrimgeour were not a surprise.
Probably the smoothest season growers can remember. That's how Kiwifruit Growers Association (NZKGI) chief executive Colin Bond describes the situation with fruit picking just past its peak.
New Zealand’s 2025 kiwifruit harvest has started with the first fruit picked in the Bay of Plenty, marking the earliest ever harvest.
Climate change and its effects was the number one item on the agenda of the annual International Kiwifruit conference held this year in Greece.
Kiwifruit growers are celebrating a trifecta of industry milestones next month.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…
