Double bonuses and a free lunch – how the hort sector is keeping workers

The tight domestic labour market isn't helping. (Image: Getty)

Thu, 13 Jan 2022

The horticulture sector is pulling out all the stops to keep fruit from rotting on the ground as it grapples with a major staff shortage. Summerfruit growers in Otago are reporting they only have half the staff they need partly because backpackers – a key source of labour – have been locked out by covid. Prior to covid-19, there were 45,000 backpackers in New Zealand, today there are less than 4,000, according to a spokesman from Horticulture NZ. A picknz.co.nz banner reads “workers needed now – click her...

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