Orchards need pickers – policy isn't delivering them

Labour shortages are a factor in the apple industry's projected 14% fall in export volumes. (Photo: Freepik)

Tue, 23 Mar 2021

The government's role as economic policy setter is always important and is becoming more so.The era of monetary policy supremacy is fading. We need government policy to step up as central bank policy becomes less powerful.Government policy is not just about waving the spending wand. It is about getting a collection of small micro-economic settings right so the economy can thrive and wellbeing with it. The apple industry has been in the news with a 14% projected fall in export volumes, a result being partly driven by labour sh...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market close

Tourism Holdings and inflation updates drive NZX up

Tourism Holdings could be one of the most directly impacted shares of the US tariffs.

Tom Raynel 17 Apr 2025

Primary Sector

Potential Mainland buyers may soon tap regulators

Fonterra's divestment process is gaining traction.

Riley Kennedy 17 Apr 2025

Potential Mainland buyers may soon tap regulators

Markets

Asian markets lift on US/Japan trade talks

Shares in Tokyo rose along with Hong Kong and others.

AFP 17 Apr 2025

Asian markets lift on US/Japan trade talks

Sponsored

Bayleys Total Property Issue 3 out now

Backed by Bayleys’ national strength and global reach

Bayleys

Sponsored

Go beyond reporting zero emissions

Clean energy that helps businesses and communities thrive

Meridian Energy

More Finance

Finance

FNZ extends controversial catch-up offer

Fintech FNZ has extended its deadline for “catch-up” equity offers, as employee shareholders say discontent grows.In March, the global fintech offered its class B shareholders a “catch-up” offer after it revealed their holdings could be massively diluted following its August capi...

Victoria Young 16 Apr 2025