NZ/UK contractor exchange scheme

Realising that Covid and closed borders had severed a lot of the international ties, the Rural Contractors New Zealand Inc (RCNZ) and its UK equivalent – the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) – have launched the exchange scheme.

“While some of the bigger players can sort experienced labour, many contractors are a little stuck on connecting to the UK labour market,” explains RCNZ chief executive Andrew Olsen. “We believe this is where the trade bodies can help out.”

NAAC boss Jill Hewitt says the rural contracting industry in the UK is having real problems in sourcing professional, experienced labour particularly in seasonal peaks.

“The NAAC and RCNZ are working in partnership to assist our members in exchanging labour,” she says. “This is a fantastic opportunity for our team members to gain experience, see the world and keep busy year-round. It also takes the pressure off our contracting members retaining staff through the winter.”

With border entry back to some form of normality since Covid, it should be possible for staff to work year-round across the world. The NZ Government provides UK citizens a holiday working visa for people aged up to 35 who have not been to NZ before and an employer-sponsored visa option for skilled workers who have been before and wish to return. The UK also welcomes NZ workers, aged 18 to 35 via the Youth Mobility Scheme to gain a working visa for up to 24 months. In addition, there is also a skilled worker option, sponsored by a UK employer.

Both organisations say with the season in NZ just around the corner, there are opportunities for UK agricultural workers to get a visa and start work in October, then return to the UK ready for the spring campaign – alongside any NZ rural contractors seeking work in the country.

The process, exclusive to members of both associations and their workers, is relatively simple. Firstly, the contractor offering potential positions needs to be a member of RCNZ or NAAC. UK workers should email their CV’s to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. These will be circulated to RCNZ members who will make direct contact with workers to discuss potential employment.

NZ workers looking for positions in the UK can email their CVs to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. These will be forwarded to NAAC members, who can make direct contact with NZ workers to discuss potential employment and verify their credentials.

It should be noted that neither the NAAC nor RCNZ can verify the status or professionalism of exchange workers. This will be down to individual employees.