Fruit-picking subsidy flops as Kiwis stay put

Fruit-picking subsidy flops as Kiwis stay put
A lack of pickers and pruners is hitting the horticultural sector hard (Pic: supplied).
Dan Moskovitz
The government’s Seasonal Work Scheme subsidising jobseekers has lured just 195 new fruit pickers to move to where work is.Pre-pandemic, temporary migrant workers from the Pacific Islands were the backbone of the horticultural seasonal workforce but with border closures preventing their entry, the government tried to attract New Zealanders to where the work was. Announced in November, the SWS aimed to fill the shortage by giving financial aid and support to people relocating for horticultural work. This was alongside other measures,...

More Primary Sector

Zespri on track for 'moderate increase' in volume next year
Primary Sector

Zespri on track for 'moderate increase' in volume next year

Zespri's producer vote to expand global supply passed this week.

Riley Kennedy 12 Dec 2024
Yashili NZ revenue dropped 42%
Primary Sector

Yashili NZ revenue dropped 42%

The Chinese-owned dairy processor’s accounts were due in May.

Riley Kennedy 12 Dec 2024
Zespri growers vote in favour of expanding global supply
Primary Sector

Zespri growers vote in favour of expanding global supply

Zespri’s growers have voted to support the expansion of the kiwifruit marketer’s global supply.A total of 90.6% of voting growers and 93.3% by fruit weight voted in favour of the resolution, which will allocate up to 420 hectares of SunGold fruit per year over six years in Italy,...

Riley Kennedy 11 Dec 2024