Seasonal workers from Vanuatu arrive in NZ

----As communities in Vanuatu continue to recover from the devastation of Cyclone Pam, many workers from the Pacific state are making their way to New Zealand for seasonal work.

Hundreds of Ni-Van workers are among the thousands that come to New Zealand for temporary horticultural work over the summer.

The first of those workers have now arrived at apple orchards in the Hawke's Bay, with a focus on saving money to help restore homes, churches and schools back home.

Graham Nawia's home was destroyed when Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu in March, along with 90 percent of the housing in Port Vila.

“This gives me an opportunity to earn some good money to bring back to my wife and children in Vanuatu," he said.

“It has been very tough for a lot of families, so it will be good to invest money back into my community to help rebuild it.”

While it's his sixth annual trip to New Zealand for work, Wilson Loyalty has arrived for the first time at grower Bostock's orchards in order help rebuild his home.

“I can give my family a better life and education by working in New Zealand,” he said.

Category five Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu on March 13, killing 16, destroying most of the country's crops and leaving more than 70,000 in need of emergency shelter.

When it hit, hundreds of Ni-Van workers still in New Zealand requested to stay on longer in order to earn money for their families..

     

Author: 
PACNEWS