New Zealand relies heavily on foreign workers - recognised seasonal (RSE) workers, who primarily come from Pacific countries - and backpackers during the harvest season to pick and pack fruit on orchards around the country. With our border effectively closed due to COVID-19, however, the industry has been warning for months of a looming labour shortage.
Late last year, the Government said it would give border exemptions for 2000 RSE workers to enter the country starting in January. Growers say while that is a help, it is not enough.
Richard Palmer, chief executive of Summerfruit New Zealand, says RSE workers are valued because they already have skills and experience in the sector, and historically low unemployment in Central Otago means it s traditionally harder to recruit locals for seasonal work in the region, leading to a greater dependence on foreign workers.