Two Southern MP’s said a Government decision to allow RSE workers in to help with this season’s fruit harvest was needed but that numbers were insufficient and the timing was off.

 Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean and Southland MP Joseph Mooney have repeatedly called on the Immigration Minister to allow workers in from COVID-free countries to ensure a successful harvest can take place across the region and give the economy a much needed boost.

 Dean said the allowances were a step in the right direction.

 “Growers have been warning the Government of a worker shortage crises for months. Allowing some workers in from overseas early next year will help, but the decision has come too late. Growers will no doubt be working through the finer details in the coming days to see how they can make it work.

 “Central Otago needs five thousand workers, so while two thousand workers across New Zealand is welcome, it will not be enough to make a difference for the harvest in our region.

“I know from my dealings with local growers that they have tried and failed to attract enough kiwi workers and I can only hope that the new MSD incentives will see enough kiwis get on board to make up the shortfall.

A Luggate wine grower who does not want to be named said that the overseas workers were sorely needed.

“Kiwi workers don’t cut it,” he said. “They don’t last the distance. They leave as soon as the weather gets a bit rough or they get sick of it. The guys we get in from Vanuatu, they arrive, they work hard, live on the smell of an oily rag, and save all their money to take home with them.

“Their home islands can be wiped out by a typhoon, and they go home laden with chainsaws and other things that they can use to rebuild their island. They don’t drink; they save their money.” 

Southland MP Joseph Mooney said allowing some workers in from overseas was an encouraging move.

 “It shows the Government is now listening and acknowledging that workers from the Pacific can be brought in to help with the harvest. I hope that they will allow more experienced RSE workers in, and allow those from COVID-free countries to quarantine in facilities managed by the growers who have a vested interest in making sure they stick to the rules and bring in the harvest.

Read edition 1003 of the Wānaka Sun here.

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