Visa changes a lifeline for growers

Changes to seasonal work visas have given Kiwi growers a lifeline for dealing with labour shortages, but wineries may still miss out.

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced yesterday that a supplementary seasonal employment visa will be automatically given to about 11,000 working holiday visa holders to help fill labour shortages in the horticulture and wine-growing industries.

It will apply to those with visas expiring between November 1 and March 31, and will extend their visas to June 30.

‘‘Without these visa changes, there will not be enough people in the right locations to ensure fruit and produce is picked in time to ensure that flow-on economic recovery benefits protect other New Zealand jobs,’’ Faafoi said.

The changes were for the 2020-21 season only, he said.

New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said it was a ‘‘positive step’’, but the industry was concerned it did not apply to people working in wineries.

‘‘There’s no point having all the work in the vineyard, if we can’t complete the work in the winery as well.’’

Summerfruit NZ chief executive Richard Palmer said the changes were welcomed, but it was not yet known whether it would be enough to stave off the looming workforce crisis.

Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan said an initiative to connect growers with potential workers had been launched.

A mayoral taskforce group would hold a ‘‘Jobbortunities’’ event in Queenstown in October to match growers with unemployed Kiwis and migrant workers.

Horticulture NZ chief executive Mike Chapman said it was working with the Government and growers on other solutions, including bringing in workers from Covid-free countries.