RSE workers

During late summer and early Autumn Hawke's Bay has an influx of people from Pacific Island nations such as Vanuatu and Samoa who come here to work on our Orchards during the fruit picking season. They are known as RSE workers. RSE stands for Recognised Seasonal Employer.

The scheme was introduced about three years ago as a result of growers having major problems getting the labor needed to get their crops off the trees, during the short window for optimum quality for each variety.

The money they earn helps them to provide better lives for their families back home, where it might well take a year to earn the same as a months wages here. But the benefits are far from one sided.

The contribution these people are making to the Hawke's Bay economy is huge. In the years before the scheme was set up growers might be limited to two picks, then have to abandon perfectly good fruit on the trees because later maturing varieties were ready to pick. Not any more. Every salable last apple can be harvested.

Since the bulk of on orchard costs such as pruning, spraying and rates have already been paid for, the economics of growing apples improves significantly.

The extra output then creates more work for packhouses, transport shipping companies and anyone else involved in the horticultural industry.

Orchardists love them because they are here to work. They aim to take as much money home as they can so there is no unexpected absenteeism following pay day, no turning up late, just committed enthusiastic workers. Some are now returning for their 3rd season creating a growing pool of experienced workers.

Increasingly they are put up in permanent facilities such as budget motels where they are warm and dry, and where meals can be properly organised.

They pay around a $100 a week for accommodation. This income has made a huge difference to many accommodation providers at a time when our visitor industry is not doing all that well. Those providing this accommodation also describe them as top people, law abiding, polite, and a pleasure to have.

Paying for accommodation is just the start. In addition to the food they consume while living here they buy clothing, shoes and a whole range of other products to take back with them. One item that has proved very popular this season is solar cell power systems.

Each worker must be injecting a minimum of $200 a week into the Hawke's Bay economy, a total equal to at least half a million and perhaps as much as one million dollars a week, for 3 to 4 months. This has to be at least a partial explanation retail turnover statistics especially for Hastings have remained strong over the recession.

The gains don't stop with their work and the money they contribute. This money ends up with the families of these workers, without the ticket clipping deductions by officials and bureaucrats that is common with direct Government to Government aid. Help ends up where it is needed.

It is clearly a win - win – win situation. It can't get much better than that.