Now in his final year at EIT, bachelor of recreation and sport student Roman Roberts is educating seasonal workers about more than fruit.
Roberts has initiated a specially tailored fitness programme to help staff avoid work-related injuries, and began his practicum with T&G in February. He works with a group of 15 men from Vanuatu in a company-owned apple orchard, close to Havelock North.
He always pictured his career path in the health sector and has already got off to a flying start with the programme.
"Given the statistics for Māori and Pasifika communities, I wanted to get out information about the benefits of eating well, daily exercise and just general knowledge about the benefits of being healthy and fit. That's the pathway I wanted to take with my degree."
Some of the seasonal workers have returned to Hawke's Bay to assist T&G with harvesting and pruning.
Roberts said many of the workers were "trim and fit," but it was a matter of understanding the importance of warm-ups and stretching.