Western Bay fears shortage of labourers

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc president Neil Trebilco.

Despite increasing beneficiary numbers in the Western Bay, the kiwifruit industry is expecting to face a shortage of seasonal workers as the crops recover from the outbreak of PSA.

Yesterday's Bay of Plenty Times reported there were almost 4000 more people on benefits in Tauranga and the Western Bay in December than in September last year.

A Ministry of Social Development spokeswoman said the number of people on Jobseeker Support typically increases in the December quarter.

"Generally, more people come onto benefit when university and other courses finish at the end of the year and fewer go off benefit into work at that time as companies often delay hiring new staff until the new year.

"Jobseeker numbers are expected to reduce over the next few months, which will be reflected in the next quarterly figures."

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc president Neil Trebilco said despite the increasing demand for jobs some growers had struggled to find labourers during the pruning season and the industry expected to be facing a shortage of workers come harvest.

"Like any seasonal industry, we have peaks where finding labourers could be an issue. There were some issues with growers finding workers in the peak pruning season" he said. "What we're a bit worried about is a shortage going forward."

Mr Trebilco said the industry expected to see a slight increase in production this year and a even more in 2015 as the crops bounce back.

"The industry is on a swift upward trajectory in terms of production," he said. Post-harvest companies were already advertising for staff but harvest season did not really kick off until late-March with work remaining constant until after pruning finished in September, he said.

NZKGI was already in talks with the Government about how to ensure there were enough labourers, including increasing the number of Pacific Island workers a recognised seasonal employer in New Zealand could hire, Mr Trebilco said.