Halting work on industry transformation plans is a top three priority for the new government, with the proposal second on the coalition’s 100-day plan.
Massey University is proposing to make more than 70 staff members redundant, a move that has been strongly opposed by the Tertiary Education Union.
Woolworths New Zealand has launched a campaign calling for respect and courtesy from customers this holiday season as verbal and physical aggression to its team members rises.
The horticulture and viticulture industries want more Recognised Seasonal Employer workers but it is taking a toll on the Pacific Islands, write Massey University researchers.
An anonymous donor has provided cash to pay Supie’s workers, who were dismissed this week as the company collapsed.
TradeWindow says it is restructuring following the delay of its $11.1m deal with nChain to settle.
The number of filled jobs in accommodation and food services rose by 9,075 or 6% in September compared with the same month a year earlier.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners New Zealand says it has achieved the Advanced GenderTick Accreditation and closed its gender pay gap to 0%.
Te Ara Pōtiki is seeking smart, curious applicants with data management, science, agriculture, health and safety, population studies or business backgrounds for its new global intern programme.
Six scholarships will be offered to students studying agriculture and horticulture at Massey and Lincoln universities interested in working as advisers in the primary sector.
The average salary in hospitality and tourism totalled $61,607 in Q3 2023, up 8% from the same period last year, according to data from Trade Me Jobs.
Hospitality and tourism job advertisements jumped 20% in August 2023 compared with the previous month, according to SEEK’s latest Employment Report.
The government has extended of the number of workers allowed into New Zealand under the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme.
Manufacturing has overtaken agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry as the industry with the highest incidence rate of work-related claims, according to new data from Stats NZ.
New Zealand-based agritech company Robotics Plus has commercially launched its autonomous orchard vehicle, which it has called Prospr.
The Restaurant Association has launched its Engaging Rangatahi initiative.
The scope of a review into the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) needs to be widened, according to an employment expert, who claims it is putting NZ food supply chain under threat.
A new global knowledge exchange programme to support Māori innovators in agri-food tech has been launched, expecting to place up to 15 leaders over the next three years.
Christchurch hospitality and accommodation provider Springs Junction Café and Motor Inn has been ordered to pay $36,000 for breaching multiple employment standards during the 2020 Covid pandemic.
Clyde Orchards has been fined $225k for health and safety failures related to an incident in February 2021 which resulted in a summer holiday job worker needing three fingers partly amputated.
Fonterra plans to cut $1bn off its operating costs by 2030, according to chief executive Miles Hurrell who said the plan had been in development since late last year.
Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes has appointed Jenn Bestwick to lead a review of Immigration New Zealand’s administration of the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme.
The government is moving ahead with plans to implement a pay gap reporting system for large organisations.
Wage cost inflation, as measured by the labour cost index (LCI), remained at 4.3% in the year to the June 2023 quarter, according to Stats NZ.
The fourth year of the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Good Employer Awards has seen a range of players from dairy, horticulture, meat processing, and food production make the shortlist.
First Union members who work in supermarkets are the latest group of workers to be formally accepted by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to begin negotiations for a Fair Pay Agreement.
Woolworths New Zealand agrees 12.3% wage increase over two years for supply chain teams in a new Collective Employment Agreement with FIRST Union
The 2023 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards are open for entries from New Zealand’s food and fibre sector employers.
The number of filled jobs rose 0.2% in May compared with a year ago, according to the latest Stat NZ figures on employment indicators.
Countdown is consulting with around 400 of its meat department team and FIRST Union on proposed changes to its North Island meat department team structure.
Christchurch biotechnology company PharmaZen says it has successfully filled 15 vacancies this year, which will help it overcome a poor first half of FY23 due to labour shortages.
Hospitality New Zealand has applied to become the bargaining agent for hospitality employers, which would see it enter negotiations on an industry pay arrangement under the Fair Pay Agreements Act.
The union at the forefront of representing the horticulture and viticulture sectors says it has negotiated a National Collective Agreement with New Zealand’s largest kiwifruit producer, Seeka.
New Zealand hospitality businesses are feeling increasingly pessimistic about the state of the economy, according to the latest survey conducted by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand.
The hospitality sector has led an increase in the number of filled jobs for the March 2023 quarter, according to Stats NZ.
The Restaurant Association said it is ready to come to the bargaining table to reach a Fair Pay Agreement for the hospitality sector “that works for both employers and workers”.
Softer demand has supplanted finding labour as the top primary constraint for businesses surveyed in the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion.
The number of filled jobs in accommodation and food services rose by 17,138 in April 2023, up 12.2% on the same month last year.
Immigration NZ has made changes to visa conditions for new Partner of Worker Work Visas which may affect hospitality employers, according to the Restaurant Association.
Worker shortages over the hoki season cost Sealord $7m last year.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4% in the March 2023 quarter, unchanged from last quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ.
The number of filled jobs in the accommodation and food services sector reached 18,101 in March 2023, up 12.9% on the same month last year, according to Stats NZ.
Visa, supported by Visa Wellington on a Plate, is launching a new hospitality industry scholarship open to candidates across New Zealand, valued at NZD $30,000.
The National Party says it will double the Recognised Seasonal Employer worker cap from 19,000 to 38,000 over five years and create a path to residency through the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
The Fonterra veteran of 30-years will replace David Hughes to lead the Crown Research Institute.
Fonterra, Frucor, and Woolworths NZ are amongst the food companies committed to increasing transparency around pay gaps.
Businesses could soon have access to thousands of additional working holidaymakers, with the government extending the stay of those already in New Zealand and increasing access from Europe.
TradeWindow says its signalled staff cust will come in at the lower end of the 25-35 range provided in March.
Some 90% of businesses are struggling to fill vacancies, and nearly a third have had roles in the market for more than six months, according to the latest EMA Skills Shortage Survey.
The video of the second session in the New Zealand Food & Grocery Council webinar series to help food business leaders through the immediate and longer-term impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle is now available.
New Zealand employees are seeking more flexibility in their hours and location of work, according to a survey from Stats NZ.
TradeWindow is looking to reduce its headcount by up to a third, as part of proposed cost reductions to reduce cash usage to a more sustainable level.
The psychological impact of a disaster, how to recognise mental distress and how to cope with it formed the backbone of the first webinar designed to help FMCG leaders impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
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Secondary students from the lower and mid-North Island interested in careers in food and fibre will be in Palmerston North on Friday, March 10th, for Agri Futures, Ahuwhenua ki te Anamata.
Stress, insufficient pay, poor work-life balance and a lack of better opportunities contribute to staff churn rates.
The webinar series is designed to help FMCG leaders through the “significant” immediate and longer-term impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle.
The Recovery Visa unveiled by the government is a positive first step but further work is needed to ensure international skills are able to support recovery efforts, says BusinessNZ.
The government has launched a new Recovery Visa to bring in needed specialist workers to support the Cyclone Gabrielle and flooding recovery.
Three people have been found guilty of exploiting migrants under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme in a decision that was handed down in the Hamilton District Court on 17 February.
Some 88% of retailers disapprove of the government’s decision to increase the rate of the minimum wage from 1 April 2023 by 7.2%, according to a snap poll from Retail New Zealand.
NZ Uber drivers have initiated bargaining with the tech company for their first ever collective agreement in Aotearoa, according to FIRST Union.
An unexpected 7.2% minimum wage increase is likely to be passed on to consumers by retailers and manufacturers.
The unemployment rate rose ever slightly to 3.4% in the December quarter, according to the latest figures from Stats NZ.
Horticulture employer Seeka has collaborated with Ministry of Social Development to deliver a series of job expos for the upcoming 2023 kiwifruit season.
The government has activated Enhanced Taskforce Green in response to flooding and damaged caused by Cyclone Hale in the Tairāwhiti region.
Federated Farmers has asked new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to “slow down the legislative programme, get it right and concentrate on those things that will help families and businesses prosper”.
Salaries in the hospitality and tourism sector have risen 9% year-on-year, according to new data from Trade Me Jobs.
Employer accreditations are extended and bus drivers get a boost but there’s little for hard-hit hospo.
The hospitality industry needs 30,000 workers to fill summer jobs, says the Restaurant Association.
Changes to partner work visas that were set to come into effect in December 2022 have been deferred to April 2023, Immigration Minister Michael Wood has announced.
Sealord has been allocated 180 seafood processing visas for overseas workers to fill labour shortages in its wetfish factory in Nelson, however, the company says it needs assistance to find suitable accommodation.
Countdown’s 18,000-strong supermarket team will receive a 19% wage increase over two years after the company formally signed a new collective agreement.
Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Julie White is calling the proposed Fair Pay Agreement “scarily complex” due to the number of jobs and businesses it must cover.
The government says its Flexi-Wage initiative has supported 20,589 people into jobs.
Around 18,000 Countdown First Union members across New Zealand will receive wage increases of around 12% after accepting a new Collective Agreement, which also includes a commitment to work collaboratively on security and staffing issues.
The timing of the Fair Pay Agreements Bill passing into law “could not be worse for an industry already under enormous pressure”, according to the Restaurant Association.
Online job advertisements for hospitality roles are growing faster than any other sector as demand for labour remains high.
A2 Milk says it is reviewing the company’s remuneration practices to align its Australia and New Zealand executive packages and shareholders’ interests and expectations.
The National Party has used the latest Food Price Index to point the finger at Labour economic policy including its immigrations settings, claiming it is “impossible to get ahead under Labour.”
The drinks company is preparing to exit the category and is in consultation with staff at its Napier factory where Simply Squeezed is manufactured.
Skilled migrants can once again apply for residence following the latest visa announcement by the government, which also re-opens the parent category.
The Brewers Guild of New Zealand has joined forces with The Good Fight to fund twenty Guild Brewery members to complete the St John Mental Health First Aid course.
Unite today launched its Fair Pay Agreement 4 Hospo campaign at its annual conference, in an effort to achieve “decent pay and conditions” for employees in the sector.
New Zealand will ultimately pay more for their food when the substantial increase in international workers’ pay kicks in from February, according to Federated Farmers.
Hospitality New Zealand and Hotel Council Aotearoa have welcomed changes to immigration settings that will enable unqualified chefs to work in New Zealand.
Wage increases for international workers will only fuel inflation, says BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope.
The hospitality business that operates Sky Stadium’s catering and hospitality services has teamed up with ServiceIQ to launch, Project Human Capital.
Hospitality New Zealand is anticipating a move to relax immigration requirements for skilled chefs wanting to come and work in the country.
Retail NZ wants the government to abandon the “deeply flawed” Fair Pay Agreements Bill, which has been reported back to the House of Representatives from Select Committee.
Migrant wellbeing needs to be at centre of all discussions on the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme, according to the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions which has met with the Immigration Minister Michael Wood to convey “deep concerns” with the existing scheme.
An Aquaculture New Zealand-led action plan to double the size of the national workforce to support the growth of the sector has been backed by the government to the tune of $210,000.
Foodstuffs South Island has received resource consent to develop a new 8,108 square metre Pak’nSave in Canterbury’s Rolleston.
Stakeholders from the horticulture, wine and business sectors have welcomed the government’s decision to increase the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme by 3,000 places for the coming season.
McDonald’s 170 restaurants across New Zealand are preparing to collectively employ 2,000 new staff on National Hiring Day, this Saturday 24 September.
The government is reopening longstanding visa categories Pacific Access Category and the Samoan Quota, Immigration Minister Michael Wood has announced.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has held an event at Auckland’s War memorial Museum following its annual Long Service Awards, celebrating collectively over 1,230 years of service.
Seeka says it will build new Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) accommodation housing 140 people in Katikati, near Tauranga.
Two new Post-Study Work Visa changes have been launched to help International students find further work and residence after they complete their studies.
Fieldays is partnering with the Ministry for Primary Industries to launch the Fieldays Opportunity Grows Here Careers Hub.
Around 200 workers from Visy Board and Charta Packaging are striking today at Wiri, Auckland, and have been joined by employees from Opal Kiwi Packaging, who went on strike on Friday.
The Restaurant Association is calling the government’s Better Work Action Plan a ‘duplication’ of work it completed in its own roadmap more than a year ago.
Up to 90 Opal Kiwi Packaging worker in Auckland are striking and picketing today, 2 September, to move wage negotiations along in their latest round of bargaining for a new collective agreement.
New Pacific programmes for migrant workers will help relieve worker shortages in New Zealand’s meat and seafood sectors, says the government.
New agreements with the meat and seafood sectors will help address worker shortages and unlock value for the economy, says an industry group.
Hospitality New Zealand has welcomed a boost to New Zealand’s Working Holiday Visa programme ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer challenged by worker shortages.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood has confirmed the government will do a full review of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme early next year.
While shipping rates are set to improve, labour market constraints and concerns around Chinese demand remain ongoing challenges for the seafood industry, according to Sharon Zollner.
After a sustained turnaround, the company’s boss says growth is being hampered by a lack of workers.
National says labour shortages are worsening food inflation while the Greens want a long-term food price strategy.
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The Green Party is calling on the government to overhaul the Recognised Seasonal Employers scheme in the wake of revelations of human rights violations.
BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope says there is not enough flexibility in the tight labour market to address skill shortages as the unemployment rate remains low at 3.3%.
The borders are open but the government needs to do more to help businesses which are struggling to operate, says the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce.
The opening of New Zealand’s border to all visitors is a moment for New Zealand to “stand tall” to welcome tourists, investors, students, and skilled workers instead of switching off prospective visitors, according to Michael Barnett.
Three new residence pathways will be introduced in September 2022 and the same month next year to address worker shortages in highly skilled areas.
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Business confidence has dipped to the lowest in 16 years, caused by the pain of interest rates, finding skilled staff, and rising costs.
Canterbury organisations have called the constrained labour market and lack of overseas workers the biggest barrier to business, according to the Quarterly Canterbury Business Survey.
The changes will allow its kitchen teams to work a four-day week for the same salary.
The average hourly wage in hospitality has increased by $2 to $24.43 this year, higher than the $23.65 living wage.
After scooping the employee development award, the plant-based manufacturer also took home the supreme title.
The average hourly retail wage has risen 6.4% to $26.65, according to the 2022 Retail New Zealand Wages Guide.
Job advertisements for hospitality and tourism roles have jumped 14% in May 2022, compared to April, according to SEEK New Zealand.
Foodstuffs and Woolworths NZ have taken a stand against the Fair Pay Agreement Bill, arguing it will lead to reduced competition, innovation, and consumer choice – as well as higher prices.
A driver delivering takeaway food via online app HungryPanda was an employee and not an independent contractor, the Employment Relations Authority has found.
The pipfruit forecast has been revised down to approximately 20.3 million boxes, representing an estimated reduction in export earnings of $105m, according to New Zealand Apples and Pears.
Seeka expects its 2022 kiwifruit harvest will fall short of forecasts due to lower crop volumes and a tight labour market, but said that it is too early to provide current year earnings guidance.
New sector agreements with the meat processing and seafood industries will be put in place later this year to help develop their workforces, says the government.
The hospitality industry says changes to migrant worker settings will be a welcome relief for businesses struggling to fill vacancies as the country’s border restrictions ease.
The Employment Court has found three former Gloriavale commune members on the West Coast were employees not volunteers at the registered charity which has F&B ventures.
Unemployment has remained at a record low of 3.2% for the March 2022 quarter, according to Stats NZ’s latest employment figures.
The workers will support NZ’s hospitality, horticultural and tourism sectors, says Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi.
Workers at Seeka have written to the company to seek assurances during bargaining for a new collective agreement that there will be no wage reductions at the end of the harvest in June.
Hawke’s Bay iwi-owned Takitimu Seafoods has started a restructure consultation process which could see its headcount reduce from 70 workers to 25 after falling to a $6.9m loss in its 2020-21 year.
Listed kiwifruit company Seeka has labelled the 2022 harvest across Australia and New Zealand as “challenging” amid labour, weather and supply chain headwinds.
The salmon farmer expects many roles to go via natural attrition, as it reduces its harvest size from 8,000 to 6,500 tonnes.
Under-pressure meat processors are among business that will benefit from an increase in the class border exceptions and caps.
Government proposals would require organisations to take action if they become aware of modern slavery or worker exploitation.
Supply chain challenges were one of the reasons behind a record number of job vacancies in the first quarter of the year according to analysis from Trade Me Jobs.
The government has updated guidance to businesses now that most workplaces will not require vaccine mandates from 4 April.
The re-opening of New Zealand’s borders could make it harder for employers to fill critical worker shortages as Kiwis head overseas, according to a new report which estimates a net outflow of 16,500 people as border opened.
The government’s Fair Pay Agreements Bill has been Criticised by Retail NZ who said it would drive up consumer costs if implemented.
New Zealand companies are seeing an acceleration of ‘career waka jumping,’ according to the 2021/22 Beyond Recruitment Economic & Labour Report.
Hundreds of people are required to plug gaps in Countdown’s supply chain because of Covid-19 absenteeism.
Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated says the sector is desperate to attract overseas backpackers to come over and pick fruit this season.
But it’s no ‘silver bullet’ for industries struggling to cope with labour shortages.
Business New Zealand has called the government reduced self-isolation for positive Covid cases “a pragmatic response.”
The isolation period for Covid-19 cases and household contacts will go down to seven days from 10 at 11.59pm on Friday 11 March.
Countdown employees working alongside Australian colleagues shipped in to fill gaps in New Zealand stores and supply chains should immediately receive pay parity and be remunerated at the significantly higher rates of their colleagues from across the ditch, First Union says.
Government guidelines on wage subsidies need to be clearer to protect small business owners including hospitality operators who are being fined for misinterpreting the rules.
A number of pop-up information sessions aiming to plug the fruit harvest labour shortage have kicked-off in Hastings.
Federated Farmers is relieved hundreds of extra international dairy workers can enter New Zealand this season.
The supply chain is being hammered with consumers warned to expect gaps.
Omicron absenteeisms are piling pressure on supply chains, with manufacturers scrambling to retrain and redeploy staff.
Horticulture New Zealand says the government’s decision to boost the cap on the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme would benefit future picking seasons.
The government’s extended the cap on RSE workers for this season but warned there might be hurdles in getting enough people here to finish picking.
Ongoing international demand and low stock levels have winemakers hoping for a significantly larger harvest this year, after a 19% drop in yield in 2021.
Auckland’s Business Chamber wants clarity from the government over how companies can access rapid antigen tests.
Job ads posted on website Seek reached a record in January, however hospitality and tourism ads were down 4% from December.
The kiwifruit sector is forecasting a record harvest this year of at least 190 million trays.
The business sector is critical of a move to raise the minimum wage 6% during the expected Omicron wave.
Critical worker close contacts can keep going to work instead of isolating if they return a negative RAT under the new scheme.
Industries will know by the end of this week which of them are considered critical, says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
While it opens for more workers, it comes too late for some and does not do enough to address labour shortages for others.
But they will still need to go into self-isolation, says Jacinda Ardern.
Labour shortages are the most pressing concern for the country’s primary sector but global prices should remain strong, according to ANZ’s latest Agri Focus report.
EMA won’t support the government’s proposed Income Insurance Scheme as it is, saying it would result in a further tax on businesses.
The Omicron wave about to wash over New Zealand will exacerbate an already tightening labour market.
The National Party says government inaction on border class exceptions for time-critical workers could have an impact on food production and distribution in New Zealand.
Sealord will not make Covid-19 vaccinations compulsory for New Zealand staff, seeking instead to mirror in the workplace what could reasonably be expected in a public environment.
Mounting skills shortages and ongoing supply chain disruptions are among the key challenges for company directors, according to the Institute of Directors and ASB Bank’s annual survey.
Grocery workers are suffering the mental health effects of customer hostility and lack of safety in their workplace.
Countdown distribution centre workers at two Auckland sites have signed a new agreement that includes a 5% wage rise for the next year and a 3.9% increase for a reduced 9-month term in the following year.
Domino’s is hoping a year’s worth of free pizza will help fill more than 1500 new part-time and full-time roles.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners New Zealand has retained The Gender Tick accreditation for 2021.
Zespri says the industry is now planning for a substantial labour shortage for the 2022 season.
The owner of Dunedin-based Romeeco Bakery has been ordered to pay $299,038 in arrears and penalties after a Labour Inspectorate investigation.
Without a law change, it is risky for employers to mandate vaccination in any workplace, says Horticulture New Zealand.
The supermarket chain is consulting on a proposal that will see all of its 18,000 employees subject to a vaccine mandate.
The horticulture and wine grape industries have welcomed the evolution of quarantine-free travel following a trial for Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme workers from the Pacific.
The quantity of SunGold Kiwifruit licence to be released in 2022 has been slashed in half to 350 hectares.
Silver Fern Farms and the New Zealand Meat Workers Union (NZMWU) have agreed an increase in the minimum hourly rate paid at the meat processor to $24 per hour – an increase of almost 10%.
Hospitality New Zealand has welcomed the Government’s move to extend Working Holiday and SSE work visas by six months to allow onshore migrants to help fill labour shortages over summer.
The government has extended working holiday and supplementary seasonal employment work visas by six months.
The Employers & Manufacturers Association is calling for the carrying of digital vaccine passports to enter the workplace.
The 350 biggest global food firms are assessed on their environmental, nutritional and social impact. Who is leading and who is lagging?
The 2021 Resident Visa could allow around 17,000 workers in the food and accommodation sectors to stay in NZ.
One-way, quarantine-free travel for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers from Vanuatu will be allowed from 4 October, says the government.
Labour shortages, increased kiwifruit supply, and shipping disruptions are leading to the one of the most challenging seasons in decades, says Zespri.
The details are yet to be finalised but government confirmation that quarantine-free travel will commence in October for workers from Vanuatu, Tonga and Samoa has provided a boost to growers.
Fonterra, Zespri, and Foodstuffs are heavyweights in NZ’s top 30 co-operative rankings.
The move to “review and reset the structure of the business” could see as many as 150 jobs go at the dairy company.
Countdown has called in trauma psychologists who have met with staff who were working when a terrorist carried out an attack on shoppers in Auckland’s New Lynn supermarket on Friday.
Businesses affected by the latest Covid-19 alert level lockdowns can apply for the next instalment of the government’s reactivated wage subsidy from today, Friday 3 September.
First Union has highlighted centralised wage bargaining “as a key tool to constrain excess supermarket profitability and secure decent work for everyone in the supply chain,” in its submission to the Commerce Commission’s market study into the grocery sector.
F&B manufacturers are keen to get essential services staff vaccinated but it’s not easy, despite government encouragement.
The supermarket group expects the number of staff affected to keep rising as locations of interest and close contact lists grow.
The government is restarting childcare for workers in Alert Level 4 businesses and services, which was available during last year’s national lockdown, education minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed.
The government is today expected to provide details on a move to bump supermarket workers up the vaccination priority list which would see jabs being given on-site.
The Primary Production Committee is calling for public submissions on its inquiry into the future of the workforce needs in the primary industries of New Zealand.
Poultry company Ingham’s is introducing paid vaccination leave for its staff in New Zealand and Australia in an extension to its health and wellbeing benefits.
The Meat Industry Association has launched a campaign to help address the industry’s chronic shortage of employees – currently standing at around 2,000 people.
New Zealand’s closed border is putting additional strain on the country’s labour market with ASB warning the impacts could last several years.
Living wages, job security and local sourcing are the pillars of the initiative.
The horticulture and viticulture sectors are breathing a collective sigh of relief at the government’s decision to streamline the entry of seasonal workers from the Pacific.
The positions were needed to help meet global demand for the grower’s apples.
The Restaurant Association is expanding its training programme, Hospostart, after receiving further backing from the Ministry of Social Development.
The A2 Milk Company has filled another role in its leadership team appointing a new chief people and culture officer following the departure of Lisa Burquest in January.
Legislation doubling employees’ minimum sick leave entitlement to 10 days came into effect on Saturday 24 July.
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Changes to the essential skills visa will bring more certainty to accommodation and hospitality businesses struggling to fill vacancies, say industry groups.
The Council of Trade Unions has welcomed a report into the gig economy in New Zealand, which it says delves into the experiences and difficulties faced by gig workers like rideshare and food delivery drivers and considers international precedents and potential options for change.
Too many jobs are being created in the low-wage economy, says the finance minister.
The director of Auckland restaurant Kiran Cuisine has been ordered to pay full arrears of $75,026.18 in unpaid minimum wage, leave, and holiday pay to a former employee, as well as a further $50,000 in penalties.
The kiwifruit industry will need 24,000 seasonal workers in 2022, says New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc.
The Food and Fibre Centre for Vocational Excellence and the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, Te Pūkenga, have signed what the partners describe as a ground-breaking Memorandum of Agreement.
The Feed Your Future career promotion campaign has concluded having held seven events taking high school students to visit primary sector businesses from Whangarei to Invercargill throughout May and June.
Seafood NZ has welcomed the government’s inquiry into foreign workers but warns getting more Kiwis involved in the sector will be a challenge.
Former Sanford COO Greg Johansson will help conduct the inquiry.
BusinessNZ’s quarterly planning forecast shows the economy bounced back during the June quarter with GDP figures holding up well, although warned that constraints to growth are rising.
The Auckland Business Chamber has added its voice to calls for immediate action in opening the border to allow entry for key workers to support the primary exports, hospitality, accommodation, and tourism sectors.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has officially launched its new online employment hub, which it describes as a one-stop shop for farm owners and managers to assist them as employers.
NZ Apples and Pears Inc is encouraging apple industry employers to draw on new government funding to keep their workers employed during the winter season.
Food giant Goodman Fielder has introduced a new sustainability strategy that will see it use 100% recyclable packaging by 2025 and halve its food waste by 2030.
Covid-19 has highlighted the dependence of parts of the fishing sector on foreign workers, says the government.
The government has passed the Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Bill, doubling employees’ minimum sick leave entitlement to 10 days each year.
Eight senior staffers have accessed Comvita’s new share purchase and loan scheme which has seen the company grant loans totalling $2.28m .
The pandemic has highlighted NZ’s reliance on temporary migrant labour, says the government.
Parliament’s Primary Production Committee has initiated a select committee inquiry into the future of the workforce needs in the country’s primary industries.
Prime minister Jacinda Ardern will lead a trade mission to Australia in early July.
The government has established six new Workforce Development Councils, including one for people, food and fibre. to support the vocational education system.
But there are concerns over the costs of the scheme for employers.
Delegates from around the country are converging on the Manawatu for the 2021 New Zealand Agrifood Week.
Sealord, Sanford, and Talleys have backed the regional recruitment drive urging individuals to ‘seas the opportunity’.
New Zealand Apples and Pears Inc and GoHort have backed free online courses to attract Kiwi’s into horticulture roles.
The Agri Women’s Development Trust has teamed up with tech firm MEA to promote progress in New Zealand’s primary sector.
Treasury Wine Estates has been named as one of the top companies to work in Australia and New Zealand.
Cafe workers, fast food cooks and kitchen hands are now on the Government’s oversupply list for all regions except Queenstown Lakes and Mackenzie Districts.
The winners of the Good Employer Awards have been revealed.
Chief executive Julie White said the extension would help struggling businesses find trained staff.
Women entrepreneurs are increasingly entering the wine industry, a traditionally masculine domain.
Federated Farmers has asked the government to allow 500 skilled dairy staff into New Zealand.
The chief executive of Kiwifruit Vine Health is leaving the biosecurity organisation after three years to take up a top job with the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Temporary Covid-19 immigration powers will be extended to May 2023, in part to help industries facing labour shortages.
The producer is utilising the technology to train Hawke’s Bay locals to fill roles across its orchards, packhouses and cool stores.
The food giant plans to relocate its Wiri confectionery manufacturing to Australia.
Jobs in the accommodation and food services sectors were down 5.4% for February 2021.
Spencer Sonn steps into the role from Woolworths Holdings South Africa.
The Government is failing to support New Zealand’s horticulture sector as it faces a worker shortage crisis, according to the National Party.
T&G Global, Trevelyan, and Constellation Brands are among the food and beverage companies recognised.
An investigation in 2019 found breaches of minimum employment standards in relation to 24 workers.
Southland’s largest employer is automating its warehouse and using laser guided storage and retrieval systems.
The workers will be placed at orchards and vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury and the upper South Island.
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The Government has eased visa restrictions for visitors already in New Zealand as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause havoc overseas.
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The action comes as pay negotiations remain “unresolved”.
Carol Ward has been appointed chief grower, industry and sustainability officer.
Rajasekar Chellappa, former owner of Raj Kiwi, failed to pay minimum wage to six workers.
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Summerfruit NZ says growers have received more job applications than usual for this time of year.
The association has started the roll out of a series of online, digital and regionally focused advertisements.
Drew Fairnham has worked in the F&B industry for a number of years.
Independent auditors will be evaluating growers to ensure they are treating their staff fairly.
The consumer goods giant has 81 New Zealand-based employees.
Up to $200 a week for accommodation costs is on offer, plus a $1000 payment for some.
Growers are relieved by the government’s announcement that a cohort of Registered Seasonal Employer workers will arrive in the New Year.
Horticulture and wine growers across the country will see labour shortages ease.
She is the first woman in the position in the organisation’s 40-years.
In a blow to the horticulture sector, the PM says this year’s seasonal labour shortage will not be solved before Christmas.
They took action after a “disappointing” settlement offer during negotiations.
The Australian government says it will give Kiwi workers $2000 to take up a short-term contract there.
North Island Mussels Limited has been fined $150,000 and ordered to pay $31,000 in reparation following a 2019 incident which saw an employee’s hand crushed.
As prime picking time looms near the horticulture industry remains concerned about RSE shortages.
Fruit growers are being connected to students across the country looking for summer fruit picking work.
A growers employment expo and information session is being held in Hawke’s Bay next month.
A Waikato berry farm believes the answer to seasonal worker shortages this year could be for Kiwis to pick their own fruit.
Eighteen fishermen have been confirmed to have Covid-19 at a managed isolation facility in Christchurch
New research suggests women are under-represented in, and even prevented from, aspiring to higher levels of business in the industry.
The party pledges support for the food sector including help to modernise the fishing industry.
Zespri says it is placing further focus on the “critical” role of innovation and realigning its business towards growth.
