Struggle for pickers worries growers

TRICKY SITUATION: Horticulture New Zealand national seasonal labour co-ordinator Jerf van Beek says growers "almost have to write a book" to justify additional RSE workers despite bigger crop volumes. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

AN INCREASE in Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) workers from overseas may not be enough to ensure this year's harvest is fully picked, says Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers Association president Lesley Wilson.

Due to a shortage of pickers last year some orchards left apples on trees and this year a 5 per cent increase in volume is forecast.

"Personally I'm very worried for the crop that is in Hawke's Bay," she said.

An extra 300 unemployed Kiwis were due to be brought in from other regions, with the same increase for RSE workers as last year's almost 3100. But the majority of seasonal apple workers were locals.

"There is a lot on the trees and the region has an increase in employment - we need all the tools in the toolbox."

Grower and Horticulture New Zealand national seasonal labour co-ordinator Jerf van Beek said it was not easy to access more RSE workers.

"Every employer that applies for additional workers over and above what they had last year almost have to write a book as to why they need them," he said.

"This is a very robust system that we need to make sure we give every opportunity to New Zealanders first - it's a New Zealand-first policy.

For several years other regions had "major increases" in the number of RSE workers, but not Hawke's Bay "because we are perceived to have high unemployment".

"Therefore it was very difficult for Wellington to approve."

He said growers had worked hard with the Ministry of Social Development on a seasonal scheme for New Zealanders, bringing unemployed people from other regions and providing transport and housing.

Seasonal workers enabled the industry to grow, providing more permanent jobs which brought social gains.

"We often talk about the seasonality of our industry adding to some of our social problems, but the industry is growing rapidly and our resident population won't feel the shock of that seasonality so much."

While there were schemes to accommodate the growing seasonal peaks in labour demand for primary industries, he said a more serious problem was attracting permanent staff.

Many couldn't see a career in the industry, despite senior jobs being "fulfilling and really well-paid".

"For the average manager on a orchard these days, I would say the package starts at $65,000. There is always a nice ute involved, a cellphone and other perks."

The industry was becoming increasingly technical. Crops were monitored so sprays were only applied when needed and irrigation demands were no longer assessed by "kicking the dirt", instead computers were used.

Attracting a new generation of managers was "a hard sell" despite the increasing corporatisation of the industry providing increased opportunities.

"Our industry doesn't seem to be sexy."