Kiwis sought to fill ski-field jobs

The snow industry is calling on New Zealanders to work on ski fields this winter as it faces a shortfall of 1200 workers.

The Ski Area Association of New Zealand (SAANZ) says staff are needed across the 27 ski areas it represents.

Historically, Kiwis have made up half the industry’s workforce, with international workers making up the remainder.

During the 2020 season, border closures meant many businesses could not employ key staff, which meant some ski areas were understaffed and unable to open all parts of their business.

Some smaller club fields were unable to open at all.

NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson said he expected the 2021 ski season to be similar to last year, with very busy times in the school holidays but a very quick drop in demand as New Zealanders returned to work.

About 3000 people were employed across New Zealand ski areas in 2020.

Revenue for the company, which owns and operates the Coronet Peak, Remarkables and Mt Hutt ski areas, was down between 40 per cent and 50 per cent compared with winter 2019.

Ski areas were planning for all scenarios this year, including bringing in more staff from Australia to cope with an anticipated influx of visitors if Australian borders with New Zealand opened, he said.

Preparations were also under way to apply for critical worker exemptions for some of the more skilled positions, such as groomer drivers, that may not be able to be filled by

New Zealanders. SAANZ was seeking support from Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi to have working visas extended for periods covering the ski season, he said.

Cardrona and Treble Cone general manager Bridget Legnavsky said the industry was collaborating to ensure the domestic workforce became the fundamental workforce for the industry.

Some New Zealanders could consider it as an opportunity for an ‘‘overseas experience’’ within their own country, she said.

‘‘An OE is a rite of passage for Kiwis and with the borders closed we’re encouraging everyone to consider spending a winter in a mountain town like Ohakune, O¯ hau, Queenstown or Wa¯ naka,’’ she said.

Ski areas were ramping up efforts to recruit Kiwis including by visiting schools and polytechnics, running apprenticeship programmes, offering training and personal development initiatives and emphasising recruitment in their winter marketing campaigns.

Anderson said NZSki had brought back its rookie instructor programme, an apprenticeship initiative it ran 15 years ago, in the hope of attracting people to gain snow sports instructor qualifications. The programme allowed advanced skiers or snowboarders to gain an internationally recognised level one qualification while working and earning.

The qualification’s cost would be paid by the company, he said.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts human resources manager Sarah Webster said the company was creating opportunities through a cadet programmes and alongside youth employment trust Taupo¯ Pathways.

James Lazor, from Mt Dobson, urged people to consider work at the smaller ski areas and club fields around the country.

‘‘There are several highly skilled roles in the snow sports industry where a certain level of skill or certification is required as well as considerable experience gained over multiple winter seasons,’’ he said.

When borders opened, New Zealanders would be able to use their skills to travel and work overseas, he added.

‘‘With the borders closed we’re encouraging everyone to consider spending a winter in a mountain town like Ohakune, Ohau, ¯ Queenstown or Wa¯naka.’’ Bridget Legnavsky Cardrona Alpine Resort general manager