Immigration Minister visits small growers in Hawke's Bay
Small growers in Hawke's Bay, needing more support after what has been a tough two years, have had a visit from Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi.
Faafoi, accompanied by Tukituki MP Anna Lorck, visited family-owned Omahuri Orchard in Hastings this morning and spoke to several small growers.
Speaking to Hawke's Bay App afterwards, Faafoi says making sure smaller growers' voices are heard, particularly in relation to the recognised seasonal employer (RSE) scheme, is really important.
"I think RSE has been a challenge for the sector as a whole but Anna wanted me to make sure I was coming and touching base, especially with some of the smaller growers."
While he meets fortnightly with corporates in the sector, Faafoi says having direct conversations "with some of the smaller growers like the ones we met with today are really important".
"I think we've all acknowledged the challenge of the last couple of years but now as we open the borders and the flow of RSE workers increases after a couple of difficult years, it's time to look at how we can make sure we help the sector grow.
"It's been a challenge but out of it, I think the relationship that we've got now because we've been able to have relatively frank discussions has meant the next discussion about how we build on RSE is going to be probably a lot better."
Tukituki MP Anna Lorck (left) with Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi, RSE worker Alick Nakalen, and Ann and Brian Fulford of Omahuri Orchards. Photo/Supplied.
Last year, the Government increased the cap for the number of RSE workers from 14,400 workers to 16,000, and close to 9000 workers were brought into the country while the borders were closed.
"But that doesn't mean there aren't other issues we need to hear about from growers, some of them we'll take away and there are other issues around growth for these growers over the next five to ten years that we want to make sure we understand so that we can get the RSE setting right for big growers and small growers too.
Currently, the Government is undertaking a review of the scheme.
"I think that's why it's good to get out and about. They've got in great detail their own growth plans and it's good for us to know that to understand how we can get the settings right in the future," Faafoi said.
Lorck says the region has been a leader in supporting the RSE scheme.
"The Labour Government worked together with industry to develop the RSE scheme and it has been acknowledged today as a world-class scheme and that's because we have got an ongoing working relationship that's been really critical this year indeed," Lorck said.
"RSEs are an enabler for us to grow permanent jobs for kiwis and we've seen that. In the packhouse, we've got New Zealanders working and it's been incredibly impressive seeing the technology here and getting the fruit off the trees making sure we can grow those jobs for New Zealanders."
Ann Fulford, who along with her husband Brian, owns Omahuri Orchards in Hastings said it was "wonderful" the Minister took the time to visit and is looking at ways to help support small and medium growers.
"We've been very lucky because we came into the RSE scheme right at the very beginning so we have been there from the ground floor but any other smaller grower like us coming into the system now is finding it extremely hard because all the big corporates snap the workers up.
"So it's really good to have this frank discussion with the Minister because he's only really dealt with the big corporates and has never really had to deal with the small family orchards."
They grow a combination of apples and stone fruit on 51 hectares and also operate an export and packhouse.
While the past two years have been "really hard", Fulford said this year has been a lot better.
"We are hoping this is all behind us and we can keep moving forward."
Their biggest priority now is to ensure the 12 RSE workers they have from Vanuatu, who have not returned back to the Island for close to 18 months, can go home.
"We want them to go home so that they can actually come back again in time for the next season later this year."
