Lower North Island farmers “cautiously optimistic” heading into winter – DairyNZ
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
Immigration and Associate Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says migrant workers are a small but important part of the dairy industry workforce, filling gaps where not enough New Zealanders are available.
About 1500 migrant dairy workers – mostly from othe Philippines, now make up 6% of the workforce.
Migrant-worker demand has risen recently because of difficulty attracting and retaining local workers in some parts of rural New Zealand.
