(Picture caption: A further 3000 places have been added to the RSE initiative which has a new annual cap of 19,000 workers, from participating Pacific countries. PHOTO CREDIT: Supplied.)
In response to global workforce shortages, the New Zealand Government has announced the largest increase in over a decade to the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE).
A further 3000 places have been added to the RSE initiative which has a new annual cap of 19,000 workers, from participating Pacific countries.
These workers will provide much-needed workforce relief to the horticulture and wine sector.
Immigration Minister Hon Michael Wood says the additional 3,000 places is a 19 percent increase on the previous season and acknowledges the industry’s current needs based on strong growth, and the lower number of working holiday makers onshore right now.
“We are listening to industry and worked closely with horticulture and wine sectors to ensure we strike the right balance by incentivising local employment, bringing in further additional workers and also requiring working conditions to be improved,” Minister Wood adds.
He explains the new cap was settled on a tri-partite basis for the first time ever, with both employer groups and unions at the table, enabling a discussion about both the number of workers, and how we can ensure good employment practices.
In setting the cap, the Government has also taken into consideration concerns expressed about working conditions from RSE workers.
“We recognise the important role the RSE scheme provides to our nation’s primary production sector and wider economy.
“We are committed to working with industry and unions so we can continue to maximise benefits of the scheme for Pacific workers, local employers, and our Pacific neighbours,” Minister Wood says.
Agriculture Minister Hon Damien O’Connor says the decision to increase the cap is part of a balanced programme to lift export earnings and provide economic security for New Zealand.
“Agriculture exports earned a record $53 billion last year, and it is critical to our recovery we have the workforce to continue maximising production and earnings,” he says.
“We’ve been working with the sector and making good progress on growing a local workforce, with nearly 10,000 New Zealanders attracted into food and fibre jobs over the past few years through our Opportunity Grows Here campaign, and primary sector workforce programme.”
Minister O’Connor adds the RSE scheme is not designed to completely fill all roles in the horticulture and viticulture industries.
“This cap maintains pressure on RSE employers to continue recruiting New Zealanders where possible, improve pay and conditions for workers, and invest in automation.”
Over the last year, over 30,499 Working Holiday applications have been received, and numbers are continuing to rise.
With over 6,200 Working Holiday makers in country, double the number we had in October 2021, the Government is confident further relief to the workforce shortages will come as summer approaches.
Visit the Immigration New Zealand website for more information.