10 Years of RSE workers
The Pacific Seasonal Workers scheme has reached 10 years of providing labour to New Zealand, including kiwifruit growers. RSE employees make up a small but crucial proportion of New Zealand’s horticulture workforce which fills this gap that New Zealanders can’t fill.
Although New Zealanders are the kiwifruit industry’s first priority when it comes to picking and packing kiwifruit, the low unemployment rate makes it difficult to fill all the available positions. Other sources of seasonal labour include backpackers and students but there are shortages at critical times, particularly around weekend and nightshifts. RSE employees make up a small but crucial proportion of New Zealand’s horticulture workforce. The kiwifruit industry is expanding and will be increasing its already significant contribution to regional and the national economy. NZKGI considers that RSE workers are critical to maximising the growth potential of the industry.
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