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Zica Manuni (left), Patrick Tau and Manuev Sine arrived in Hawke’s Bay from Pentecost, Vanuatu on 23 November. It is the first time the trio have been to New Zealand as part of the RSE scheme. Patrick says they wanted to come to New Zealand to help pay for school fees at home
Bumper apple harvest ahead A bumper apple harvest exceeding 22-million cartons is expected this season as new plantings come into production. By Rose Mannering New Zealand’s apple volumes are approaching the 2020 record of 22,345,510 export cartons. New Zealand Apples & Pears manager trade policy and strategy, Gary Jones, says the industry is gearing up for a big season, although he acknowledges it is a long growing season yet to come, with memories of last year’s devastating hailstorms in Nelson wiping 40% off the region’s crop. The industry has welcomed the return to pre-Covid numbers for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme workers, with 14,400 bound for New Zealand who will no longer be required to transit through the 14-day MIQ (Managed Isolation and Quarantine) system. Forty-one in-bound flights have been organised to bring the Pacific 34
The ORCHARDIST : DECEMBER 2021
Island labour force from Vanuatu, Samoa and Tonga through the new Quarantine Free Travel arrangement. Workers have been vaccinated before leaving their home country and will be tested for Covid-19 on arrival. Despite this, labour will still be tight, with only 10% of the usual number of backpackers, or Working Holiday Scheme visa holders, in the country. Unemployment is at a record low, meaning local workers will also be scarce. Gary holds concerns for small to medium sized growers who are less able to access RSE scheme workers. The next big challenge will be managing Covid-19 outbreaks in the industry, and the community, to keep everyone safe and get the work done.
