A labour shortage has been declared in the regions ahead of the peak of the kiwifruit harvest and growers in the Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay are putting the word out that there are jobs on offer.
As the industry continues to expand, the shortfall is expected to be greater than ever before.
"Good engagement has brought people into the industry but just not enough to get us through the peak season," says Nikki Johnson of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Forum.
Industry and government agencies are working together to meet the need, allowing overseas visa holders to change their work options.
But demand is subject to the weather and the readiness of the fruit.
"Last week we only needed around 300 to 400 people and this week we need 700 people so it's incredibly fickle" says Stu Weston of Apata Growers.
With six weeks of the harvest left in Hawke's Bay, 60 per cent of the apple crops are waiting to be picked and 90 per cent of the fruit is still on the vine in the Bay Of Plenty.
Last year there were 1200 vacancies at the peak of the Bay Of Plenty harvest season and it's forecast to be nearly 4000 this year.
It's the second year in a row a labour shortage has been declared.
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