Russians eyed to fill gaps in fruit-picking

Russian students may be brought out to work on some North Island orchards as a labour shortage threatens the kiwifruit picking season due to start at the end of next month.

The plan is one of several initiatives being considered in the Bay of Plenty to fill picking gangs at a time of record low unemployment.

Ross Stanway, chief executive of Priority One, a regional promotional agency, said the idea was for a work experience scheme but could potentially extend to permanent work placement.

"A couple of packhouses are particularly interested in having students at the Kursk Agricultural Academy come out for work experience and training.

"They would contribute from mid-April through to August."

Mr Stanway said the season suited Russian students because it fell over their holiday period - "and they are well advanced in horticultural courses in Russia".

They would be selected based on language skills, the nature of their studies and their ability to get here.

"It appears at this stage that there might be a good fit between some of these students and the gap in the horticultural industry."

The Russian academy was now identifying students who were suitable and interested in coming to New Zealand and would advise Priority One of the available numbers.

Orchardists said a regional unemployment rate of just 4.2 per cent this year meant the outlook for surplus labour was bleak.

On January 31, there were just 906 unemployed people in the Western Bay, 294 of whom were aged over 60.

Those numbers are expected to drop by 30 per cent this month and decrease again by the time the harvest season arrived.

Work and Income has said that it will be more lenient with temporary working visas after a crackdown last year stripped some picking gangs of their workers.

With the season due to start at the end of next month, Work and Income regional commissioner Carl Crafar confirmed there would be "more flexibility" with work permits this year.

He expected all those who fitted the kiwifruit industry bill and had not gained other employment would join the industry.

- NZPA