Pacific workers could arrive too late for Central Otago orchards

By Charlotte Cook of RNZ

The influx of seasonal workers is a relief for the horticulture and wine industries, as the Government grants an exemption at the border to 2,000 seasonal workers.

Experienced workers will begin arriving from the Pacific in January and will spend two weeks in isolation before harvesting begins.

So, after months of heartache, the horticulture and wine industries will get some of the seasonal workers who are desperate.

But they come at a cost. Employers must pay first for managed isolation, currently estimated at $ 4,722 per person, and pay at least $ 22.10 per hour, the living wage.

But despite rising costs, relief was the first thought for the $ 6.5 billion industry.

Wine Marlborough CEO Marcus Pickens appreciated that the government had listened to his pleas to allow these vital workers to enter.

However, 2000 was not enough, but a very good start, he said.

“We need about 3,000 RSE workers in winter in Blenheim.

“Workers make a massive contribution to the economy and obviously to our work, so it’s a great start.

“I’m pretty sure our biggest hurdle, which was the 2021 winter pruning, will look much stronger.”

Pickens said the rising cost of workers could cause problems, but producers knew they had to absorb it.

Salary increase ‘long overdue’

Dennis Maga of First Union said the pay increase was long overdue for seasoned and hardworking employees.

“Basically we are now treating CSR workers in the same way as essential workers when we are actually employing them abroad.

“I think it is about time because for a long time we underestimated the contribution of our workers.

“It is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Maga’s concern was now for the Kiwis and CSR workers forced to stay in New Zealand due to Covid border restrictions who would not receive the same rate of pay.

Moment of concern

The news could be bittersweet for Central Otago.

Its mayor, Tim Cadogan, said it was really positive, but the January start date could hurt the region.

“The immediate reaction of 2,000 CSR workers who entered the country was close to ecstasy.

“But there are some issues with what he is proposing as I’ve seen it that concerned me, particularly in terms of time.”

He was concerned that the cherries might ripen before the workers could get here.

“At the peak of the cherry harvest in Central Otago, we need around 5,000 people, and that can start anytime in January.

“So if this program is starting in January, and then you have to be in isolation for two weeks, it might be the right answer too late.

“We have to be very careful and keep working with the government to make sure the cavalry arrive on time.”

In an attempt to make that type of work more attractive to New Zealanders, the government has offered up to $ 200 a week in accommodation costs and bonuses for those who stayed at work for six weeks or more.

Dennis Maga said that was the only way to attract kiwis.

“To attract local workers, there must be some support in transport and accommodation.

“We are receiving a lot of feedback from those who are looking for work at the moment, especially those who have been laid off, they will consider that if there is any help in terms of accommodation and transportation.”

The mayor of Central Otago was hopeful that that would be enough to attract the locals.

“I know from talking to people in the industry that sometimes getting people to stay the course is a problem, so paying the incentive to stay and attendance or accommodation I think is very, very good.” Cadogan said.

There are still 6000 CSR workers in the country who were trapped when Covid-19 arrived; they can continue working or take the flight home when new workers arrive.

But Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said the horticulture and viticulture sectors would pay the bill.

“I want to take my hat off to the sector, they are going to be using a lot of Covid costs as a result of this, but they understand that they have to do it for a large cohort of people to enter the country.”

Horticulture New Zealand said the 2,000 CSR workers were a positive start, but the spring and early summer harvests had already been lost.

He wants planning to start now for the spring of 2021 and the harvest of 2022.

– RNZ