More wine workers welcomed

More Pacific seasonal workers will be allowed into the country as part of government plan for economic recovery.

Around 300 Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers will be given space in Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) each month, with a total of 2400 expected to arrive by March 2022.

And wine industry bosses were quick to welcome the move.

Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens says they have been calling for an increase in off-shore workers for a long time.

"Some of them will be here in time for winter pruning," he says.

"It will be a big help, but it's not going to make the challenges go away."

He says Marlborough wine growers are still facing labour shortages coming into the winter pruning season.

"Winter pruning is different in terms of need, the skill required and environmental conditions."

He says while they welcome the announcement, the government could still do more.

The latest announcement would bring the total number of RSE workers in the country to about 9700,  just under 5000 short of the 14,400 cap mandated by government.

New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan says a projected labour shortage has been a real concern, especially in Marlborough, and the move will help secure access to vital off-shore workers.

“At least some of these workers will arrive in time for winter pruning, a skilled role at which they excel.

“This decision will benefit workers, their families and our wine regions,” Philip says.

But the increased cost of the imported labour could mean some businesses miss out.

“This decision will help the New Zealand wine industry to plan with more certainty for the rest of the year.

“However, the increased costs associated with bringing RSE workers into New Zealand will play a part in whether or not some businesses can take advantage of the Government’s decision.”

Five hundred spaces per fortnight, in total, will be allocated in managed isolation facilities over the next 10 months.

COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins the trans-Tasman bubble has freed up rooms, allowing more places in MIQ for critical workers.

“It has given us flexibility to expand our engagement with the rest of the world on a targeted basis and attract skills and people needed to drive our economic recovery, while carefully managing risks of bringing in COVID-19,” he says.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says the dedicated spaces in MIQ and renewed border exceptions will provide additional workforce to support rural communities and help drive New Zealand’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

“This decision should see around 2400 more RSE workers entering New Zealand in time for next summer’s harvest season and pruning this winter.

“This is in addition to the 7300 RSE workers currently in the country, including the 2000 the Government approved to support the horticulture and viticulture industries during the recent summer harvest season.”

About 500 MIQs rooms will be made available for ‘large groups’ every fortnight. These include spaces for:

· Around 300 RSE workers every month from June – with a total of 2400 arriving by March 2022

· 300 specialised construction workers between June and October

· 400 international students for arrival in June, out of the 1000 previously announced, for the start of semester two

· 100 refugees every six weeks from July.