12th May 2022 Employment / VisasNew 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.
12th May 2022 Employment / HospitalityThe 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.
11th May 2022 Employment / LegalThe 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.
5th May 2022 EmploymentUnemployment has remained at a record low of 3.2% for the March 2022 quarter, according to Stats NZ’s latest employment figures.
2nd May 2022 Borders / EmploymentThe workers will support NZ’s hospitality, horticultural and tourism sectors, says Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi.
2nd May 2022 Employment / SeekaWorkers 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.
28th April 2022 Employment / Takitimu SeafoodsHawke’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.
12th April 2022 Employment / GovernmentUnder-pressure meat processors are among business that will benefit from an increase in the class border exceptions and caps.
6th April 2022 Employment / Supply ChainSupply 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.
31st March 2022 Covid-19 / EmploymentThe government has updated guidance to businesses now that most workplaces will not require vaccine mandates from 4 April.
31st March 2022 Borders / EmploymentThe 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.
31st March 2022 Employment / Primary sectorA new initiative spearheaded by the Primary Industry Capability Alliance aims to grow more workplaces in the food and fibre sector.
30th March 2022 Employment / GovernmentThe government’s Fair Pay Agreements Bill has been Criticised by Retail NZ who said it would drive up consumer costs if implemented.
24th March 2022 EmploymentNew Zealand companies are seeing an acceleration of ‘career waka jumping,’ according to the 2021/22 Beyond Recruitment Economic & Labour Report.
15th March 2022 Employment / NZKGIKiwifruit Growers Incorporated says the sector is desperate to attract overseas backpackers to come over and pick fruit this season.
14th March 2022 Borders / EmploymentBut it’s no ‘silver bullet’ for industries struggling to cope with labour shortages.
9th March 2022 Covid-19 / EmploymentThe isolation period for Covid-19 cases and household contacts will go down to seven days from 10 at 11.59pm on Friday 11 March.
8th March 2022 Countdown / EmploymentCountdown 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.
8th March 2022 Employment / HospitalityGovernment guidelines on wage subsidies need to be clearer to protect small business owners including hospitality operators who are being fined for misinterpreting the rules.
8th March 2022 Employment / HorticultureA number of pop-up information sessions aiming to plug the fruit harvest labour shortage have kicked-off in Hastings.
3rd March 2022 Dairy / EmploymentFederated Farmers is relieved hundreds of extra international dairy workers can enter New Zealand this season.
1st March 2022 Employment / HospitalityBusiness and hospitality groups are pleased the government is ditching self-isolation requirements for returning New Zealanders.
1st March 2022 Employment / HortNZHorticulture New Zealand says the government’s decision to boost the cap on the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme would benefit future picking seasons.
28th February 2022 Employment / RSEThe 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.
14th February 2022 Covid-19 / EmploymentThe business sector is critical of a move to raise the minimum wage 6% during the expected Omicron wave.
9th February 2022 Covid-19 / EmploymentIndustries will know by the end of this week which of them are considered critical, says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
4th February 2022 Borders / EmploymentWhile it opens for more workers, it comes too late for some and does not do enough to address labour shortages for others.
3rd February 2022 Borders / EmploymentBut they will still need to go into self-isolation, says Jacinda Ardern.
3rd February 2022 Employment / ExportsLabour 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.
3rd February 2022 EMA / EmploymentEMA won’t support the government’s proposed Income Insurance Scheme as it is, saying it would result in a further tax on businesses.
2nd February 2022 Employment / PerspectivesThe Omicron wave about to wash over New Zealand will exacerbate an already tightening labour market.
1st February 2022 Employment / PoliticsThe 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.
3rd December 2021 Employment / SurveyMounting 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.
29th November 2021 Countdown / EmploymentCountdown 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.
24th November 2021 Domino's / EmploymentDomino’s is hoping a year’s worth of free pizza will help fill more than 1500 new part-time and full-time roles.
5th November 2021 Employment / ZespriZespri says the industry is now planning for a substantial labour shortage for the 2022 season.
4th November 2021 Employment / LegalThe owner of Dunedin-based Romeeco Bakery has been ordered to pay $299,038 in arrears and penalties after a Labour Inspectorate investigation.
20th October 2021 Employment / SFFFSilver 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%.
13th October 2021 Employment / HospitalityHospitality 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.
12th October 2021 EmploymentThe government has extended working holiday and supplementary seasonal employment work visas by six months.
30th September 2021 EmploymentThe 2021 Resident Visa could allow around 17,000 workers in the food and accommodation sectors to stay in NZ.
28th September 2021 Employment / RSEOne-way, quarantine-free travel for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers from Vanuatu will be allowed from 4 October, says the government.
13th September 2021 Employment / RSEThe 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.
31st August 2021 Covid-19 / EmploymentF&B manufacturers are keen to get essential services staff vaccinated but it’s not easy, despite government encouragement.
23rd August 2021 Covid-19 / EmploymentThe 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.
13th August 2021 EmploymentThe 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.
10th August 2021 Employment / Ingham'sPoultry 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.
6th August 2021 Employment / MIAThe Meat Industry Association has launched a campaign to help address the industry’s chronic shortage of employees – currently standing at around 2,000 people.
5th August 2021 ASB / EmploymentNew Zealand’s closed border is putting additional strain on the country’s labour market with ASB warning the impacts could last several years.
4th August 2021 Campaigns / EmploymentLiving wages, job security and local sourcing are the pillars of the initiative.
3rd August 2021 Employment / HortNZThe 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.
3rd August 2021 Employment / T>he positions were needed to help meet global demand for the grower’s apples.
27th July 2021 Employment / RAThe Restaurant Association is expanding its training programme, Hospostart, after receiving further backing from the Ministry of Social Development.
26th July 2021 EmploymentLegislation doubling employees’ minimum sick leave entitlement to 10 days came into effect on Saturday 24 July.
19th July 2021 Employment / MIAGovernment changes to some essential skills visa will help ease some of the pressure on the red meat sector’s migrant workforce but a permanent solution is needed, according to the Meat MORE »
16th July 2021 Employment / VisaChanges to the essential skills visa will bring more certainty to accommodation and hospitality businesses struggling to fill vacancies, say industry groups.
14th July 2021 Employment / GovernmentToo many jobs are being created in the low-wage economy, says the finance minister.
13th July 2021 Employment / NZKGIThe kiwifruit industry will need 24,000 seasonal workers in 2022, says New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc.
2nd July 2021 Employment / InquiryFormer Sanford COO Greg Johansson will help conduct the inquiry.
25th June 2021 BusinessNZ / EmploymentBusinessNZ’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.
23rd June 2021 EmploymentThe 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.
25th May 2021 Employment / RegulationThe government has passed the Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Bill, doubling employees’ minimum sick leave entitlement to 10 days each year.
18th May 2021 EmploymentThe pandemic has highlighted NZ’s reliance on temporary migrant labour, says the government.
18th May 2021 EmploymentParliament’s Primary Production Committee has initiated a select committee inquiry into the future of the workforce needs in the country’s primary industries.
11th May 2021 Employment / RSEBut there are concerns over the costs of the scheme for employers.
30th April 2021 EmploymentSealord, Sanford, and Talleys have backed the regional recruitment drive urging individuals to ‘seas the opportunity’.
19th April 2021 EmploymentCafe workers, fast food cooks and kitchen hands are now on the Government’s oversupply list for all regions except Queenstown Lakes and Mackenzie Districts.
14th April 2021 Awards / EmploymentThe winners of the Good Employer Awards have been revealed.
9th April 2021 Employment / HospitalityChief executive Julie White said the extension would help struggling businesses find trained staff.
8th April 2021 Employment / MIQFederated Farmers has asked the government to allow 500 skilled dairy staff into New Zealand.
30th March 2021 Employment / NestléThe food giant plans to relocate its Wiri confectionery manufacturing to Australia.
11th March 2021 Dairy / EmploymentAn investigation in 2019 found breaches of minimum employment standards in relation to 24 workers.
1st March 2021 Employment / RSEThe workers will be placed at orchards and vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury and the upper South Island.
22nd February 2021 Employment / VisasThe Government has eased visa restrictions for visitors already in New Zealand as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause havoc overseas.
19th February 2021 AGMARDT / EmploymentThe Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust is taking applications for an associate board member to join its board of trustees. AGMARDT was an independent, not-for-profit charitable trust fostering MORE »
10th December 2020 EmploymentA cohort of Best Ugly Bagels staff is aiming to negotiate a collective employment agreement will calls going out for more workers to join E tū union. NZ chef Al MORE »
