The decade-old programme gives horticulture and viticulture a critical workforce at harvest time, when it is essential to have extra hands to get crops out of the fields and onto the consumers’ plates quickly.

RSE workers come from nine eligible Pacific countries, and the scheme allows workers to gain invaluable experience and the chance to send money back to their communities at home.

HortNZ says it has a number of programmes to get New Zealanders into permanent work, and the RSE is separate from that. In fact, by handling the harvest, RSE has allowed the horticulture industry to grow and employ more New Zealand workers in permanent roles.

The industry body says it is able to help growers who want to achieve RSE status, which they may want to consider if they are being held back by labour shortages.

For more information, e-mail Jerf van Beek or call 027 4790 375.

Source: HortNZ