Govt opens door for 2,000 island fruit pickers

Govt opens door for 2,000 island fruit pickers
Gavin Evans
Up to 2,000 Pacific Island workers are to be allowed into New Zealand from January to help address a shortage of pickers for the horticulture and wine sectors.After months of complaint by growers and industry groups, the government said it will allow experienced workers who have previously participated in the recognised seasonal employer scheme into the country on a staggered basis between January and March.It is also offering unemployed New Zealanders a $1,000 incentive grant to take on more than six weeks of seasonal work and will also pay th...

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