Kiwifruit growers struggling to find workers in Bay of Plenty

By ROSALEEN MacBRAYNE

Kiwifruit growers in the Bay of Plenty are facing a serious shortage of labour to harvest their crops.

The pool of seasonal workers has shrunk in the past year, mainly because of the buoyant economy, says Work and Income's regional commissioner, Carl Crafar.

Nationally, fewer than 79,000 people are on the unemployment benefit - half the level of five years ago.

In the Western Bay of Plenty, the number of jobless had dropped 45 per cent, Mr Crafar said. At the end of March last year, 3200 people were registered as unemployed. A year later, that figure was 1818 and falling.

Because more people had found permanent work, the labour supply for the kiwifruit harvest was tighter than in previous years, he said.

As well, this season's crop was bigger than usual.

"More workers are needed but less are available," said Mr Crafar.

It would be another week or so before it was known how severe the shortage would be.

"The season is not yet in full production," he said.

An early start to this year's kiwifruit harvest and later ripening of apples in Hawkes Bay also meant some transient workers would arrive in the Bay of Plenty later than usual.

Mr Crafar said registered unemployed were not the only labour force the kiwifruit industry drew on. Other benefit recipients, partners of workers wanting a bit of extra money, and backpackers were attracted to the seasonal jobs.

He had "made it very clear" to employers that using illegal immigrants would not be tolerated.

"If Work and Income becomes aware that contractors and orchards are involved in that, we will not refer any workers to them. It falsifies the real requirements."

Mr Crafar said the department's work test obligations would be enforced.

"If people are suitable for work in the kiwifruit industry, they can expect to be called up."

Only registered unemployed who were in an "agreed activity" such as training programmes, had a medical exemption or were aged more than 60 would be exempt.

He said a range of jobs was available. They included picking, packing, quality control, administration, supervising and forklift driving.

In partnership with packhouses, Work and Income was organising transport for people from outlying centres as long as it was cost-effective.

Kiwifruit workers would, for instance, be taken by bus from Rotorua to Te Puke.

But employers had to play their part, "because they are the ones who have the demand".

Mr Crafar said the Bay of Plenty overall had a drop in unemployment in the past year, despite forestry and timber industry layoffs, he said.

"We are going through a very good time."