Media Release
15 August 2024
New Zealand Winegrowers applauds the government’s commitment to increase the Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) scheme numbers to 20,750 and the sensible improvements to the scheme.
‘The RSE scheme has been vital to the growth of the wine industry’ says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers. ‘The changes announced today to boost RSE worker numbers will enable the industry to plan with certainty for future growth.’
Philip says ‘We strongly support employing New Zealanders in the wine industry. RSE workers focus on the seasonal peaks, supporting our permanent workforce. These improvements strike a careful balance between making sure Pacific workers have well paid work and employers can access the workers they need, when they need them.’
‘We know workers come to New Zealand with limited time to maximise their earning capability, and the changes allowing regional and employer movement add flexibility to help them achieve this. We also support skills training so workers can return home with more than financial benefits, and that pay rates can now reflect experience.’
‘Multiple entry visas make sense, especially if workers have to return home for family reasons.’
‘We particularly welcome the return to the scheme’s pre-COVID settings by removing the accommodation cost restrictions and restoring the minimum hours entitlement calculation to a monthly average.’
‘We also welcome the addition of Timor-Leste, which we see as future-proofing the scheme’s central role in Pacific relationships.’
‘Looking ahead, the industry is confident that these changes will benefit both industry and the Pacific workers who play such an important role in New Zealand’s vineyards.’
-ENDS-
Editor notes:
- The RSE scheme supports the horticulture and viticulture industries
- Viticulture is New Zealand’s largest horticulture crop by area with 41,860ha
- New Zealand wine exports are in excess of $2 billion per annum
- The New Zealand wine industry employs 7,000 New Zealanders
New Zealand Winegrower images can be found here.
For further information contact:
Chrissy Powlesland
Communications Manager, New Zealand Winegrowers
chrissy.powlesland@nzwine.com
Philip Gregan
CEO, New Zealand Winegrowers
philip@nzwine.com, 021 964 564