Dole queue will shorten by 1000 for fruit season

More than 1000 people are expected to come off the dole and take up jobs in the kiwifruit industry this season.

Another 1074 overseas workers would also fill positions under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) programme. Local post harvest companies were confident they could fill vacancies heading into harvest.

Bay of Plenty Work and Income regional director Ski Wisnesky said between January and June 2013 about 1050 working age people moved off benefits and into seasonal work in pack houses and orchards. Numbers were expected to be similar in 2014, he said.

It was working closely with the industry and promoting the Government's policy of jobs for New Zealanders first.

"We have dedicated seasonal staff including four seasonal work brokers covering the region from Opotiki to Katikati."

EastPack chief executive Tony Hawken said its workforce increased from 260 to 2000 during the peak season and it was employing staff on all sites.

"So far it's been good and it looks like we will have sufficient people to run our harvesting and packing operations this year."

It had about 330 RSE people coming from Vanuatu, Bali, Tonga and Papua New Guinea and their contribution was key to its operations, he said.

"They are absolutely critical because it allows us to run our plants and pack houses 24/7. Our customers have high expectations and we have to harvest in the ideal time frames and need extra people to handle the seasonal workload."

EastPack had employed people off the dole and enjoyed a strong relationship with WINZ, he said.

Apata managing director Stuart Weston said it was reasonably confident it had enough people on the books but as kiwifruit volumes increased so would staff levels.

It employed some RSE workers but he said the unknown element was the transient labour force that came through the Bay of Plenty.

"We won't have a better idea of that until closer to the season and there is always some nervousness." Zespri estimated gold kiwifruit volumes would increase by 20 to 30 per cent this season and further in 2015.

Mr Weston said when that happened it would offer kiwi fruit workers longer more consistent seasons.

Direct Management Services director Paul Jones said it was not expecting any staffing issues.

"We are looking to fill a few positions but we don't see the staffing as being a problem although it is important to get the right people in the right place."

It had a small group of RSE workers but was not looking at expanding numbers.

DMS has 50 full time equivalent workers and that number swelled to 550 during the peak season.

It was estimated the kiwifruit industry would require 8000 to 9000 people this year.

All the post harvest companies said fruit on the vines in the Western Bay was looking great and had fared favourably during the summer months.