Builders, plumbers, electricians and engineers are among those who have applied to work in the kiwifruit industry during the picking and packing season.
"It is a little disconcerting to realise how many local people are losing their jobs and are looking for any form of work," Karen Roche, general manager at
Birchwood Packhouse in Rae Rd Katikati, said.
Birchwood employs 90 staff in its packhouse, many retired people who return each year in motor homes to work during the kiwifruit harvest.
Mrs Roche said most positions were filled by mid-January.
Carbeth Packhouse in Morton Rd, south of Katikati, is one of the smallest still operating in the industry with just 22 staff. "We have an all-Kiwi staff," said John Carson who has run the pack house for 27 years. Packing will begin at Carbeth after Easter and many of the 6pm to 9pm night shift staff are college students, he said.
Tradesmen laid off from their jobs and some self-employed are among those working at Westerns Packhouse in Matahui Rd, near Katikati.
Cassandra Thurston, communications manager for Apata Limited, said more Kiwis than usual had applied for jobs this season at the packhouse, half- way between Katikati and Tau ranga. "In general there is a greater skills range among them," she said.
"Of our employees this year, around 65 per cent are returning (inclusive of our RSE team from Malaysia). The remaining 35 per cent are made up of 20 per cent Kiwis, with the balance back packers."
More New Zealanders filling seasonal jobs has put some pres sure on overseas workers, she said.
The peak of applications for packhouse work was late January to early February, which was in line with other seasons.
RSE stands for Recognised Seasonal Employer _ the scheme under which seasonal staff can be brought in from overseas.
