MEDIA RELEASE
23 August 2017
Medical examinations easier in Vanuatu thanks to the Kiwifruit Industry Community Support Fund Inc
• Kiwifruit Industry Community Support Fund Inc donates digital radiology equipment to the Vanuatu Ministry of
Health
• Up to 2,000 RSE workers can use a new radiology service in Santo
3,500 people from Vanuatu come to New Zealand every year under the Recognized Seasonal Employer programme (RSE) to work
in the horticulture industry during peak times when there are insufficient workers available in New Zealand.
As part of their visa application, RSE workers must undergo an Immigration Medical Examination in Port Vila to be able
to come to New Zealand. This can provide a tricky situation for these potential employees who must often travel from
outlying islands. The requirement to travel to Port Vila increases workers time away from community and family and
involves costs while in the city.
Following a pilot assessment in 2016, it was found that Immigration Medical Examinations could be conducted at the
hospital on the outlying island of Santo. This would be made possible with the help of a digitizer that enables x-rays
to be available in an electronic format that can be submitted to Immigration New Zealand.
To make this dream a reality, the Kiwifruit Industry Community Support Fund Inc raised over $50,000 to purchase a
digitiser and arranged for the x-ray machine and digitiser to be made available in Santo. The Fruitgrowers Charitable
Trust provided a substantial donation to the Fund which recognises the importance of Vanuatu RSE workers to the wider
fruit industry in New Zealand.
Kiwifruit Industry Community Support Fund Inc Chair Neil Trebilco says; “We are delighted to have been able to raise
enough money to provide easier medical examinations. Employees from Vanuatu make an important contribution to our
kiwifruit industry and the New Zealand economy as a whole, and we are pleased to be able to give them something in
return”.
-ENDS
Background
The Kiwifruit Industry Community Support Fund is a charitable incorporated society with the objective to support causes
associated with the kiwifruit industry. It works in areas such as poverty and disaster relief as well as the advancement
of education.
In July this year, the Pacific Seasonal Workers scheme reached 10 years of providing labour to New Zealand, including
kiwifruit growers. RSE employees make up a small but crucial proportion of New Zealand’s horticulture workforce which
fills the gap that New Zealanders can’t. Vanuatu provides approximately 3,500 of the 10,500 RSE scheme workers that come
to New Zealand each year.
Although New Zealanders are the kiwifruit industry’s first priority when it comes to picking and packing kiwifruit, the
low unemployment rate makes it difficult to fill all the available positions. Other sources of seasonal labour include
backpackers and students but there are shortages at critical times, particularly around weekend and nightshifts.
The kiwifruit industry is expanding and will be increasing its already significant contribution to regional and the
national economy. NZKGI considers that RSE workers are critical to maximising the growth potential of the industry.