Fisheries giants back NRDA ‘Catch a Job’ campaign

30th April 2021 By Bridget O'Connell | bridget@foodticker.co.nz | @foodtickernz

Three of New Zealand’s largest fishing firms have teamed up with Nelson Regional Development Agency to fill hundreds of jobs in the seafood industry as borders remain closed to international workers.

There are hundreds of jobs on offer in the initiative. Image: Supplied

Nelson Tasman’s seafood industry triumvirate of Sealord, Sanford, and Talley’s have backed the ‘Catch a Job’ campaign launching today.

The collaboration is an extension of the successful ‘Pick Nelson Tasman’ campaign, which reached tens of thousands of people across the country and helped fill a shortfall of jobs in the horticultural sector during the critical harvest period.

NRDA said the regional recruitment drive was part of the Project Kōkiri Covid-19 recovery programme launched in the region in June 2020.

“We have the largest fishing port in Australasia and over 70% of New Zealand’s aquaculture is located here in Te Tauihu, the seafood sector is a critical economic driver for our region,” NRDA regional development and attraction manager Hannah Norton said.

“With our borders remaining closed, there’s a shortage of workers for both seasonal and permanent work.

“Through Project Kōkiri, we’ve ensured that our economic response has been both flexible and collaborative, so it was a natural extension to partner with the seafood sector to support their recruitment drive on behalf of the region.”

The campaign, which will be pushed out across social media and digital channels, promotes opportunities across the seafood sector including a range of entry-level jobs and career opportunities.

Jobs are available in Nelson, Motueka, Blenheim and Havelock.

Norton added: “We know that many people in our community and further afield have been displaced from work due to Covid-19 and so we’re putting the call out to say there are boatloads of opportunities on offer here in Te Tauihu and that our primary sector, which has underpinned our recovery, has secure employment pathways for people seeking job security. “