A study by the Western Bay of Plenty Council says almost half the seasonal workers coming in to service key horticulture industry sectors, such as kiwifruit, do not have suitable accommodation.
The problem was expected to get worse, given Zespri's predictions of sustained growth in the kiwifruit sector, reveald the study prepared by the Western Bay of Plenty Council, which identified a number of possible solutions.
"Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is a shortfall in the quantity of accommodation available for the industry's seasonal workers," said the study's authors, council analysts Kate Waterhouse and Tony Clow.
"Concerns have also been raised regarding the quality of accommodation available for them. This situation is likely to be exacerbated by the continuing growth of the kiwifruit industry, which will result in greater demand for seasonal workers and put further pressure on the already limited housing stock."
Apata managing director Stuart Weston welcomed the study's potential solutions, and said that post-harvest operators were really feeling the pinch in finding accommodation for growing numbers of seasonal workers.
"If you stick with Zespri's forecast of growth, there is a massive challenge coming."
According to the study, 3739 (85 per cent) of total seasonal workers come from overseas and are likely to require accommodation, with a peak number of all workers of 4379 in June 2016.
Post-harvest facilities provided a total of just under 1090 beds for seasonal workers, with a further 1335 beds available through commercial accommodation.
That total of 2425 beds accounted for 55 per cent of the peak number of seasonal workers.
"There is little reliable information held regarding where the remaining 45 per cent of peak seasonal workers are accommodated, but anecdotal evidence suggests they are staying in the likes of dwellings, sheds, campervans, privately owned sports academies, and international schools," the study said.
Trevalyan's Pack & Cool general manager Steve Butler said the industry had been warning councils for years that the accommodation problem was only going to get worse.
"It's difficult to find accommodation for these seasonal workers - it's just a constant battle."
The study recommendations were "bang on" he said, particularly in addressing the problem of inadequate transport networks to service seasonal workers.
Seeka human resources manager Philippa Diluzio said the company had longstanding arrangements and had been using the same accommodation providers for years.
"But as the industry grows and more people are needed in the industry, there will be a shortage of suitable accommodation, not caravans and camping rounds."
The study identified problems with the alternative accommodation that was used by seasonal workers, including poor value for money, overcrowding, sub-standard housing, cultural tensions, lack of pastoral care and being too far away from workplaces, facilities or other transport.
Trish Hughes, owner of the Te Puke Holiday Park, which focused on kiwifruit workers, said she did not think there was a shortage of accommodation.
"I think they can all find somewhere to go," she said.
The park's charge out rate was $50 per week for individuals sharing a camper van, and $75 per week for each person sharing a cabin, with a maximum of four per cabin allowed.
The seasonal workers seldom caused problems and came from around the world.
They found the holiday park based on word-of-mouth, she said, because "we're cheap and we keep costs down".
Report recommendations
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council study highlighted a number of potential solutions for addressing seasonal shortages, including:
- Reviewing District Plan provisions for seasonal accommodation