Border reopening comes too late for this kiwi season

Since the pandemic, New Zealand has imposed restrictions on foreign workers and closed its borders. The government has just announced a reopening of the borders which will be staggered from 13 March depending on the visa category. 

 

 

But this announcement comes too late according to New Zealand professionals who had been warning the government for months about the chronic shortage of labour for the harvest. The shortage had been exacerbated by the restrictions imposed and then by the closure of the borders.

 

 

While this announcement can be seen as a step forward, it is unlikely to alleviate the harvest labour shortage, according to comments from Colin Bon, Chief Executive of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI). 

 

 

The kiwifruit industry employs about 23,000 workers at the peak of the season, which runs from March to May. The apple harvest is about to start and the industry is also experiencing a labour shortage. 

 

 

source : nzkgi.org.nz, stuff.co.nz