New Zealand increases seasonal jobs for Pacific workers

The number of Vanuatu seasonal workers is expected to increase following a New Zealand Government announcement that New Zealand employers in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme will be able to offer more seasonal jobs to Pacific workers.

The NZ Minister of Immigration Iain Lees-Galloway announced that the RSE cap would increase by 1,550 places this year, bringing the total available RSE visas to 14,400.

“We are helping our regions’ growers to plan ahead and get the support they need. For the first time we are announcing a two-year increase to the RSE quota. This will help address industry concerns that a lack of certainty on RSE numbers makes it hard for them to plan for labour needs and accommodation requirements,” Iain Lees-Galloway said.

“The cap on the number of temporary visas that can be granted to employ foreign seasonal workers is set to rise by 3,150 over two years to 16,000:

In the first year it will increase by 1,550 to 14,400 for 2019/20.
Approval has also been given for the cap to be raised by a further 1,600 places to 16,000 in 2020/21.”

“The cap increase set for 2020/21 is conditional on the industry proving it’s making the horticulture and viticulture sectors easier and more attractive for Kiwi workers to work in. They’ll also have to up their game and make sure there is more accommodation built for their workers”.

Vanuatu has more than 1800 seasonal workers in New Zealand.