Horticulture NZ welcomes RSE changes

Changes the Government has made to the RSE labour scheme have been welcomed by Horticulture New Zealand and will help the industry reach the goal of doubling the farmgate value of horticultural production by 2035. Photo / Paul Sutherland

Horticulture NZ believes the Government’s changes to the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme will go a long way to supporting the horticulture industry to achieve its goal of doubling the farmgate value of horticultural production by 2035.

The Government has announced a range of policy changes to the RSE scheme.

The changes include lifting the pause on accommodation cost increases and allowing a capped increase to be applied; allowing employers to average out RSE workers’ minimum 30 hours a week over four weeks; and adjusting the application of the 10% above the minimum wage requirement, so it applies to only experienced workers.

”The RSE scheme has served New Zealand growers and the Pacific well for over 17 years and helped boost the economies of Pacific countries thanks to the repatriation of wages — we believe these changes make sense and strike the right balance,” HortNZ chief executive Nadine Tunley said.

Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley says the changes "strike the right balance".

”New Zealand growers will welcome the improved flexibility for RSE workers to return home in the event of family emergencies, as well as the ability to move amongst regions and employers a little more easily.

”The horticulture industry strongly supports hiring New Zealanders first; however, to reach our potential we must attract and retain many more motivated and skilled people to work in horticulture, from both New Zealand as well as overseas, especially during seasonal harvest peaks,” she said.

”The RSE scheme will continue to play an important role in this.”

Tunley said HortNZ was particularly pleased about the changes to the accommodation and remuneration requirements.

”These were only brought in by the previous Government as temporary measures during Covid-19 when RSE workers were able to come to New Zealand under Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ).

”This reset will be appreciated by our growers. It allows employers to average out RSE workers’ minimum 30 hours per week over four weeks and will provide certainty for workers and better reflects the weather-dependent nature of our industry.”