Kiwifruit firms assist cyclone hit workers

Kiwifruit workers from Vanuatu are being helped by local companies.

Kiwifruit workers from cyclone-ravaged Vanuatu are being helped by local post-harvest companies.

Seeka chief executive Michael Franks said it had 411 Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) people on its workforce from Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Samoa and Malaysia.

The workers came for various times and were used to complement the local workforce.

The company is currently working with its people on the island of Nguna.

"We are offering financial assistance to enable them to come this year and, once in New Zealand, we will be working with them regarding donations and items to assist in rebuilding their homes."

Eastpack human resources manager Heather Burton said it had about 380 international workers from Vanuatu, Bali, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Nauru.

They were employed mainly to work night shifts which were difficult positions to fill and had the highest absenteeism.

"Some of the workers have been coming since the beginning of the programme and are now very experienced. It provides much-needed income to support their families and to be taken back to their countries."

It had set up a fund for people to donate money to.

"We are also collecting clothing, shoes, linen and other items that can be distributed to the workers who have arrived with very little. We are exploring the possibility of sending a container back once we have established the needs of the workers."

DMS chief operations officer Derek Masters said it had 16 Vanuatu workers and 20 Balinese up from 16 Balinese and eight Vanuatu workers last year. They were an important component of the workforce, he said.

"Our RSE workers have gained considerable skills over the last five years and now hold, in some cases, important functional roles within our packhouses."

DMS would be helping its Vanuatu workers on an individual basis, and most likely a community basis, Mr Masters said.

"Some of our workers come from one of the hardest-hit islands, Tanna Island."

In 2013/14, 7855 RSE workers arrived in New Zealand, and the largest group was 3070 from Vanuatu, followed by 1538 from Tonga.

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment said the horticulture and viticulture industries were important to New Zealand and often suffered from a shortage of local workers. The RSE scheme enables the temporary workers to enter the country.