Tongan Steven Piukala surveys his kingdom with all the satisfaction of seeing his hard work rewarded.
For the last four years Piukala had been part of New Zealand's RSE (Recognised Seasonal Workers) scheme, and had started a number of small businesses from the income he'd earned.
There was his home barbershop, his casava plantation and his piggery, and he'd designed them to keep operating while he was away working in the Waikato seven months of the year.
With the piggery, he ensured the sows were pregnant before he went away, and then would sell the piglets upon returning.
He ran his plantation in the same way — when he was home, he harvested and exported his casava crop which had grown while he was away.
"We have jobs here (in Tonga) but not the same income that you get going on the RSE," he said. "An example the money, that income that I get on the seven months I'm going on the RSE I can get that income if I work in Tonga here for like two years".
Over the 2025/26 period, 1676 Tongans were in New Zealand working for RSE out of a total of more than 1700. Together with Australia's PALM scheme, it was estimated the schemes signed up around 20% of working Tongan males.
While some Pacific countries had expressed concern about their country being stripped of workers, Tongan officials had no such reservations.
The temporary work schemes came under Internal Affairs, with chief executive Akanesi Polotu Paunga saying the benefits for families and their communities was clear to see.
Pasifika seasonal workers are vital to New Zealand's horticulture and viticulture sectors under the scheme, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year. (Source: 1News)
"We cannot stop the opportunity to assist families that go abroad to work...you can't stop workers from moving on to greener pastures so you just have to keep recruiting." she said.
What she would like to see was upskilling of the workers in New Zealand.
More Tongans went to Australia on the PALM scheme than New Zealand — a 70:30 ratio. Australia offered opportunities in different industries and up to a four year visa for 21 year olds and older, while in New Zealand the work was mostly in horticulture and just for a season for those over the age of 18.
Steven Piukala had worked for both schemes but said he preferred New Zealand's shorter RSE contracts because he missed his family.
"I prefer New Zealand, you go on a short term but it's worth it and also safety in New Zealand is number one on your job site..and you get good weather in New Zealand," he said.
New Zealand's horticulture and viticulture businesses count on Pasifika seasonal workers on the scheme that will next year mark its 20th anniversary. While there is no doubt the RSE has been a win-win in many ways there have been concerns over exploitation of workers and their employment rights.
A recent International Labour Organisation report recommended that New Zealand had to improve in some area including workers being able to change employers and complain without repercussions if their conditions were not up to par.
At last week's Horticulture New Zealand conference Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced a number of reforms for the scheme, including the flexibility for workers to move between RSE employers in appropriate circumstances.
Work was also underway to strengthen pastoral care and accommodation standards, including internet access so families could stay in touch.
"Consultation on options for change is currently underway with pacific partners and employers, and I expect to take decisions by the end of September," Stanford said in a statement.
Ministry of Business Immigration and Employment's (MBIE) National Manager Pacific Loua Fesola-i-Ward told 1News the new reform's worker protections were being strengthened in response to some of the criticisms about how some employers treated their seasonal workers.
"So what we're bringing in is an improved complaint system so that RSE workers have a very clear pathway if they want to make complaints and receive support," she said.
In Tonga, Steven Piukala had nothing but good to say about RSE. He said providing for his family — including his three children and setting up sustainable businesses for them — meant a lot to him as he wasn't highly educated.
"From the RSE, from the money, I can be able to do all these things and help to fulfill my plan for the future," he said.
And that future looked bright.
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