Positive changes please kiwifruit growers
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporation (NZKGI) says there is a need to get a range of government policy settings right for the sector to expand.
The industry has welcomed the government announcement of 1000 more seasonal workers for the coming season.
This makes a total of 10,500 people now secured under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to work in the horticulture industry during its busiest harvest period.
The kiwifruit industry is committed to employing NZers as its primary workforce and RSE workers complement this when labour is short, says Johnson. The extra workers are essential to support the kiwifruit industry’s strong growth.
“The industry is aiming to more than double sales to $4.5 billion by 2025 and we can only do this with enough skilled people.”
The kiwifruit industry employs about 18,000 people each season; it generated nearly $2 billion in sales last season.
“This is great news for the industry, struggling to find enough workers to keep pace with growing volumes, and for the people from the Pacific who can support their communities by working in NZ.
She says NZKGI is going from strength to strength in its advocacy.
