Samoan workers flying in

Up to 2000 people from the Pacific region will arrive in New Zealand in the next few months for seasonal work at orchards and farms.

The first of Samoa’s 780 workers tied to the Recognised Seasonal Employment scheme touched down in Auckland yesterday.

Four special flights have been organised to bring the workers.

The rest will arrive on Thursday, Monday and the following Friday and will spend 14 days in managed isolation before travelling to different parts of the country.

Samoa has had no reported Covid-19 cases since late last year and no community transmission.

At Samoa’s Faleolo International Airport yesterday there were scenes of excitement as families and friends gathered to say goodbye to the workers.

Those in the RSE scheme could be easily spotted in their red and white island-printed Aloha shirts.

Kiwi growers and farmers will welcome the arrivals after facing a shortage of workers — and rotting produce — in the past few months due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

But there are some conditions to this season. One is that only those with at least one season of experience are eligible to come.

Immigration NZ has been supporting officials from Pacific countries about the precautions each person must take this season; including providing a list of items to pack and what to expect in the fortnight they will be in isolation.

And only employers with an Agreement to Recruit classification can employ the RSE workers.

Employers will have to make several “additional commitments”, as laid out by Immigration officials, including paying $22.10 an hour.