Honorary title reflects bonds

GIVING BACK: Johnny Appleseed's operations manager, Len Thompson, has been given the honorary title of chief by a Samoan village.PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

Johnny Appleseed's operations manager Len Thompson has become a Samoan chief.

Afioga Toosavili Len Thompson was given the honorary title because of his company's commitment to the Samoan village of Poutasi district.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key was given the same title five years ago, when he visited after the tsunami disaster.

Mr Thompson received his while visiting Samoa for the recent NZ-RSE Employer's Conference in Apia, the first to be held outside New Zealand.

He said his company had a close relationship with the district after nine seasons, with bonds strengthened through the tsunami.

Johnny Appleseed also gained kudos for choosing its workers as much on social need as their physical working ability.

He said the company was committed to making sure repatriated money was well utilised.

"The last thing we want is a whole lot of people going back and buying big-screen TVs when the roof is leaking or children need school fees," he said.

The title was a reward for the morals and principles of managing director John Paynter, which Mr Thompson helped implement.

He said there was "graphic change" in the quality of life for its 100 Samoan RSE workers.

He said there was significant protocol surrounding the honorary-title ceremony "but fortunately not the leg tattoos so far".

Pipfruit New Zealand business development manager Gary Jones said the conference was "the best one we have ever had" and was hopeful the cap on the number of RSE work permits would be raised.

"We have a whole lot of apples in the ground that are just about to come on in the next year or two, but the biggest challenge is whether we can pick them off the tree."

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is Pipfruit New Zealand's guest of honour in Wellington next month at its annual conference.