16 April 2019
•Around 250 people have been accepted for a variation of conditions to their visitor visas to work in the labour shortage
declaration in the BOP and extension in Hawkes Bay.
•BOP labour shortage declaration began 15 April and runs to 27 May 2019.
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) are pleased that since the announcement of the declaration on 5
April, around 250 people have successfully applied to vary the conditions of their visitor visas to work in the labour
shortage declaration in the Bay of Plenty and extension in Hawkes Bay. The number is expected to increase sharply over
this week. In 2018, around 230 people successfully applied for a VOC in the Bay of Plenty over the declaration period.
This week marks the beginning of the peak of harvest for the kiwifruit industry in the Bay of Plenty. More than 18,000
seasonal workers will be required to pick and pack the iconic piece of kiwiana. The peak is expected to last until the
end of May.
NZKGI CEO Nikki Johnson says, “while we are pleased our attraction campaign has increased the number of visitors who
have shown interest to work in the kiwifruit industry, we are likely to require more workers to pick and pack at season
peak.
“As a first priority, we are calling on people who live in close proximity to orchards and packhouses to roll up their
sleeves and join us in this booming industry.” Those from further afield are recommended to secure accommodation before
arriving.
Current estimates put the potential labour shortfall at peak around 3,550 the Bay of Plenty’s kiwifruit industry. There
was a shortfall of 1,200 vacancies at the peak of harvest in 2018. The shortage places the current workforce under
pressure to pick and pack this years’ estimated volume of over 155 million trays. So far around a quarter has been
picked and packed.
Potential employees who would like to find work in the kiwifruit industry can find information around employers, job
types and rights on the NZKGI website (www.nzkgi.org.nz). Overseas visitors are encouraged to visit the Immigration New Zealand website where detailed information about
varying the conditions of a visa can be found.
Background to the declaration
• NZKGI has been running a media campaign to promote work in the kiwifruit industry and early signals indicate
that this has gone some way in reducing the number of vacancies.
• NZKGI has recently secured co-funding and employed a labour coordinator to connect employers with workers over
harvest and analyse current and future labour demands of the kiwifruit industry.
• Between January and April 2019, MSD has placed nearly 500 job seekers into the kiwifruit industry.
• The kiwifruit industry continues to have robust discussions with Government around increasing the number of
workers available under the RSE scheme, as well as other avenues to meet demand during harvest.
• A University of Waikato report forecasts that the kiwifruit industry contribution to the Bay of Plenty’s GDP
will increase 135% by 2030 to $2.04 billion and require 14,329 new kiwifruit jobs.
• The last declaration of a labour shortage for the kiwifruit industry was made in 2018 when the unemployment rate
in the Bay of Plenty was 5.9%[1]. The current unemployment rate is 4.8%[2].
[1] As of December 2017. Source: Infometrics
2 As of December 2018. Source: Infometrics
Kiwifruit Facts and Figures
• Kiwifruit is New Zealand’s largest horticultural export.
• New Zealand kiwifruit production is expected to jump from 123 million trays in 2017 to 190 million trays in
2027.
• The kiwifruit industry’s revenue is expected to jump from $2.1 billion in 2017 to $6 billion by 2030.
• A critical labour shortage could hinder this growth.
• In comparison to 2017 numbers, the kiwifruit industry will require an additional 7,000 workers by 2027.
• In 2017 when the minimum wage was $15,75, the average wage for picking kiwifruit was $20.95.
• The expected picking rate in 2019 is $23.50.
About New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) works to advocate, protect and enhance the commercial and political
interests of New Zealand kiwifruit growers. We represent kiwifruit growers, giving them their own voice in industry and
government decision making.
Kiwifruit is by far New Zealand’s largest fresh horticultural export, with sales of NZ fruit in 2017/18 of NZ$1.7
billion. In 2017/18 over 2,500 growers sold 123 million trays of kiwifruit to over 50 markets. The industry is
experiencing strong growth which is expected to continue over the coming years.
Our headquarters in the Bay of Plenty, the geographic heart of the kiwifruit industry, is the central hub for the NZKGI
Executive Committee, Forum members and staff.
More information about our portfolios of Industry Stability, Performance, Communications, Labour & Education, External Relations and Organisational Management can be found on our website: www.nzkgi.org.nz
Information on the Variation of Conditions
The New Zealand Immigration website has detailed information on varying the conditions of a visitor visa:
In addition, NZKGI has created a factsheet which explains the process for people on visitor visas to vary their
conditions:
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[1] As of December 2017. Source: Infometrics
[2] As of December 2018. Source: Infometrics
ends