IB2015/8 The Labour Force Behind New Zealand's Increased Productivity in the Horticulture and Viticulture Sectors

During the 2014 Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) conference, New Zealand Immigration Minister, Michael Woodhouse, announced that the government would increase the annual cap to 9,000 workers. Although this was expected by industry, the increase was lower than anticipated. New Zealand growers have become reliant on this labour force, enabled by the RSE and have argued that productivity has increased since its initiation. This In Brief examines some considerations of New Zealand's policy as Australia is in the process of increasing the Seasonal Worker Program (SWP).