The kiwifruit industry is bracing itself for a chronic labour shortage in the lead-up to this year's harvest, which is expected to be another record-breaker. Experienced workers may be able to earn up to $40
an hour and New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc says there are 24,000 roles to fill - mostly in the Bay of Plenty - with a shortage of 6500 workers predicted.
Read the full story: Want a job? 24,000 kiwifruit workers needed as labour shortage bites
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There have been a number of similar stories over the last few years and I follow them closely and provide comments from an employer perspective (Disclosure: I'm in the industry and each harvest season need around 300 seasonal workers). What interests me is that a year ago, this story would have attracted a rash of comments about bad employers who pay crap wages and don't care about employees; plenty of people available and willing to work if you employers get your act together, etc. Today: Nothing. Perhaps reality has finally dawned on even the most slavish of Government supporters.
Greg M
When studying I worked some breaks in horticulture - you would be very lucky to earn $40 an hour. Owners need to pay substantially more to their workers and we (as buyers of produce) need to pay more for our apples, kiwifruit and so on.
John H
Contrary to Labour supporters who have cried pay locals more and they will do the work.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The work is too hard for them. RSEs outwork our locals 3 to 1. Labour shortages will cripple many this year and the government is to blame.
Paul E