Frustration over red-tape scuppering efforts to employ apple pickers

Hawke's Bay's is suffering an apple picking crisis because of a shortage of workers. Photo / File

As frustration mounts over delays to solving Hawke's Bay's apple-picking "crisis", the Ministry of Social Development has been asked to extend the region's labour shortage declaration.

Last week, the East Coast Regional Commissioner for the Ministry of Social Development declared a labour shortage across Hawke's Bay from March 12 to April 6 - which allows foreign workers to increase their visa work conditions - but since then visitors and locals wanting to work in Hawke's Bay's apple orchards have complained to Hawke's Bay Today about a lack of knowledge on where and how people could register to work.

One overseas visitor said they had visited orchards but no one there had known what they needed to do. Another woman added that she and her 17-year-old son were frustrated with the lack of urgency from picking companies.

"We drove to an orchard that had a 'pickers wanted' sign and phone number out the front. We called from the side of the road.

"We were told to go to head office is Hastings/Havelock, so we did. [My son] filled out the application form and was told HR would call him. But still, no phone call about picking apples.

"What does a fit 17-year-old have to do to pick apples in an apple-picking crisis?"

Hawke's Bay Season Labour Group chairman Gary Jones said immigration offices were only told on Friday to fast-track applications.

"The challenge around accessing it is you have to go online with Immigration NZ to get a variation of conditions.

"It takes a while for the processes to line up and they will only really be receiving application this week."

Jones hoped the declared shortage would be extended for "at least" another week.

"The season is pushing out longer and longer, and is likely to go through the whole of April.

'We've asked to extend it because two weeks would have passed before the labour shortage systems are in place, but the season is picking up."

A decision should be made later in the week.

A spokesman for Immigration New Zealand said if the Ministry of Social Development declares a seasonal labour shortage people can apply to vary the conditions of their visitor visa to allow six weeks of seasonal work in the region where there is a shortage.

People could apply for a variation of conditions at Immigration NZ's website.

People must pay a fee and complete an application for a variation of conditions or a Variation of Travel Conditions' (INZ1020) PDF 290KB
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/forms-and-guides/inz-1020-application-for-variation-travel-conditions_april-2016_fa_web.pdf

"Visitors can only undertake seasonal work once each visit to New Zealand."