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Seasonal labour shortage declared for BOP kiwifruit industry

5 April 2019

Declaration is for 15 April until 27 May 2019.

As of today, overseas visitors can apply to vary the conditions of their visitor visa to allow up to six weeks of seasonal work in kiwifruit in the Bay of Plenty.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) supports the Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) declaration of a labour shortage for the kiwifruit industry in the Bay of Plenty and the extension of the labour shortage in the Hawkes Bay. The BOP declaration announced today is for the period 15 April until 27 May 2019.

There is a current shortfall of over 1,400 vacancies in the Bay of Plenty’s kiwifruit industry which is expected to increase to 3,800 at harvest’s peak around mid-April. There was a shortfall of 1,200 vacancies at the peak of harvest in 2018.

NZKGI CEO Nikki Johnson says, “The industry has been working hard to attract labour for this year’s harvest. NZKGI has been running a media campaign to promote work in our sector and early signals indicate that this has gone some way in reducing the number of vacancies.

“However, it is vital to our industry that there is enough seasonal labour for harvest, and we currently don’t have enough people to pick and pack the intended crop. So it is entirely prudent and good risk management for MSD to take this step in support of our campaign.

“We would encourage people – kiwis and visitors - to come and enjoy working in an industry that exports an iconic piece of kiwiana overseas.”

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Kiwifruit industry employers have been working closely with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to place New Zealanders in vacant roles. Between January and April 2019, MSD has placed nearly 500 job seekers into the kiwifruit industry. Despite this more workers are still needed. The declaration of a seasonal labour shortage allows overseas visitors who already hold visitor visas to apply to vary the conditions of their visas for working in kiwifruit in the Bay of Plenty.

Overseas visitors are encouraged to visit the New Zealand Immigration website where detailed information about varying the conditions of a visa can be found.

To date over 90% of this season’s total kiwifruit crop is yet to be harvested. It is forecast that a similar amount of fruit is required to be packed this year in comparison to last year. This includes an increase of 12% of SunGold kiwifruit which requires packing in a short period of time.

Johnson says NZKGI seeks to employ New Zealanders as a first priority, especially kiwis who live in regions with orchards and packhouses. Work and Income has given help to people that need transport from other parts of BOP and other Work and Income clients who would like to access this should contact their local office for support. “However, because of the low unemployment rate this is not always possible, and other sources of workers, such as those from the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme and backpackers, are also required.”

She says the industry continues to have robust discussions with Government around increasing the number of workers available under the RSE scheme, as well as other avenues to meet demand during harvest.

NZKGI has recently secured co-funding and employed a labour coordinator to connect employers with workers over harvest and analyse current and future labour demands of the kiwifruit industry, and will use this information to deal with industry growth projections. A University of Waikato report forecasts that the kiwifruit industry contribution to the Bay of Plenty’s GDP will increase 135% by 2030 to $2.04 billion and require 14,329 new kiwifruit jobs.

The kiwifruit industry is an important contributor to the local Bay of Plenty economy, currently contributing $867 million to the regions GDP and employing 10,762 FTE in the year 2015/2016. The last declaration of a labour shortage for the kiwifruit industry was made in 2018 when the unemployment rate in the Bay of Plenty was 5.9%[1]. The current unemployment rate is 4.8%[2].

[1] As of December 2017. Source: Infometrics
[1] As of December 2018. Source: Infometrics

Kiwifruit Facts and Figures
• Kiwifruit is New Zealand’s largest horticultural export.
• New Zealand kiwifruit production is expected to jump from 123 million trays in 2017 to 190 million trays in 2027.
• The kiwifruit industry’s revenue is expected to jump from $2.1 billion in 2017 to $6 billion by 2030.
• A critical labour shortage could hinder this growth.
• In comparison to 2017 numbers, the kiwifruit industry will require an additional 7,000 workers by 2027.
• In 2017 when the minimum wage was $15,75, the average wage for picking kiwifruit was $20.95.
• The expected picking rate in 2019 is $23.50.

About New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) works to advocate, protect and enhance the commercial and political interests of New Zealand kiwifruit growers. We represent kiwifruit growers, giving them their own voice in industry and government decision making.

Kiwifruit is by far New Zealand’s largest fresh horticultural export, with sales of NZ fruit in 2017/18 of NZ$1.7 billion. In 2017/18 over 2,500 growers sold 123 million trays of kiwifruit to over 50 markets. The industry is experiencing strong growth which is expected to continue over the coming years.

Our headquarters in the Bay of Plenty, the geographic heart of the kiwifruit industry, is the central hub for the NZKGI Executive Committee, Forum members and staff.

More information about our portfolios of Industry Stability, Performance, Communications, Labour & Education, External Relations and Organisational Management can be found on our website: www.nzkgi.org.nz


Information on the Variation of Conditions
The New Zealand Immigration website has detailed information on varying the conditions of a visitor visa:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/tools-and-information/general-information/variation-of-conditions-temporary-visas/varying-a-visitor-visa

In addition, NZKGI has created a factsheet which explains the process for people on visitor visas to vary their conditions:
https://www.nzkgi.org.nz/bop-labour-shortage-declaration-how-to-apply-for-a-variation-of-conditions-on-a-visitor-visa-2/#article

University of Waikato Report
The university of Waikato has released a report of the economic contribution of the kiwifruit industry expansion to the Bay of Plenty, Northland and New Zealand economies. The report projects the impact of industry expansion associated with new varieties in the period from 2015/2016 through to 2029/30 and can be read here:
https://www.waikato.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/343813/IBR-Report-on-Kiwifruit.pdf

Ends


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