Hawke’s Bay needs 10,000 workers. Can you find them?

Hawke’s Bay is suffering from a huge shortage of seasonal workers that growers say could cripple the region’s Covid-19 recovery plan.

Approximately 10,000 workers are needed in the horticulture and viticulture sectors across the region starting next month, with another 8,000 permanent jobs in the region at risk if they are not found.

But Covid-19 has devastated New Zealand’s seasonal workforce with very few Recognized Seasonal Employer (CSR) workers and backpackers in the country.

Local horticultural leaders say workers from the Pacific who would normally travel to New Zealand are also being drawn to Australia this season for their restart of the Seasonal Worker Program.

New Zealand Apples and Pears CEO Alan Pollard said the economic ramifications are massive, particularly with the region reeling from the Covid-19 lockdown.

“The Hawke’s Bay economy is at risk of $ 715 million of GDP in apples and pears alone, and more than $ 1 billion in wine and other horticultural crops,” he said.

Growers met with region leaders this week to plan and consider solutions for the next harvest.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said more than 8,000 permanent jobs in the region will be at risk if the fruit is not harvested:

“These permanent roles depend on the trees that are planted and pruned and the fruit that is harvested, all of which are increasingly difficult with a severe labor shortage pending.”

Solutions proposed at this week’s meetings include attracting more unemployed New Zealanders, utilizing prison facility workers, changing the flexibility of working hours, and making work physically easier through technologies such as work platforms.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council President Rex Graham said whatever the solutions are, they will have to happen quickly and the thinning begins in November.

Hazlehurst said Hawke’s Bay is also working with the central government on the country’s immigration policies.

They have asked for more flexibility in the CSR scheme; for workers from Covid-free countries to self-quarantine their worker accommodation on-site while still working

“We will meet with the Minister of Immigration when he visits Hawke’s Bay later this month to discuss what can be done,” Hazlehurst said.

“The horticulture and viticulture sectors need our full support to address this urgent situation and we look forward to having those conversations.”