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It's “fantastic news” to see RSE workers bypass managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) to come to work in Aotearoa, Tanya Pouwhare said.
Thanks to the new one-way RSE travel bubble, seasonal workers from Vanuatu would be able to skip MIQ from 4 October.
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Covid situation
Auckland and North West Waikato are at Alert Level 3, and the rest of New Zealand remains at Alert Level 2.
Please keep an eye on covid19.govt.nz for updates. Please also keep an eye on the HortNZ website’s Covid page: www.hortnz.co.nz/covid19/.
Auckland boundary
The precise location and layout of the Auckland Alert Level boundary, including checkpoints, are shown on this map on the Covid19.govt.nz website. A reminder that the current requirements are:
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Young Grower of the Year final still on
The good news is that despite Covid-related restrictions, the Young Grower of the Year final is taking place this year, at the Lower Hutt Events Centre on Wednesday 20 October and Thursday 21 October.
With Auckland continuing to be in Alert Level 3, Heather Feetham, who won the 2021 Pukekohe Young Grower competition, will not be able to compete this year. As a result, Heather will compete in the 2022 final.
Gala dinner
Due to continued social distancing requirements, we need to restrict numbers at the gala dinner on the evening of Thursday 21 October. As a result, we have stopped ticket sales and have been in touch with ticket holders about numbers.
If you have not been contacted, your tickets remain, however, if you can no longer attend, please let Amy Miller know immediately. If you have any questions, please also contact Amy.
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Arriving workers must have had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine before travelling. Source: Brya Ingram/Stuff
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Arrival of first Pacific Island seasonal workers – quarantine free
The first quarantine free flight of 153 workers from Vanuatu arrived in Christchurch on Monday 4 October. These workers are going to RSE employers in Central Otago, Nelson and Marlborough. They will complete their isolation in their employers’ accommodation in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s comprehensive isolation protocols.
The next flight from Vanuatu is arriving on Monday 11 October, followed by a flight from Samoa on 16 October. The Industry Collective is also working with the Government on a Tongan flight in October, but that has not been confirmed.
In November, there are already two programmed flights: one from Samoa, which is quarantine free, and one from the Solomons, where the workers are required to go through MIQ. Other flights will be programmed for November and December when the allocation process concludes later this week.
Repatriation of workers who have been in New Zealand for some time remains a priority, but this is dependent on their home countries receiving them back.
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New bridging visas for onshore workers on cancelled flights
From 28 September 2021, the Minister of Immigration has decided to grant new bridging visas for three months for onshore RSE workers whose visas are:
- due to expire within 30 days, and
- held by RSE workers who are unable to repatriate to their home country before their visa expires (due to cancelled or lack of flights).
These workers will be allowed to work for an RSE employer who has provided an undertaking to Immigration New Zealand (INZ), which confirms that the worker is awaiting repatriation, and that they will:
- take all reasonable steps to provide full time work for the duration of the visa
- arrange for medical insurance to be extended
- provide pastoral care
- co-ordinate repatriation on the next available flight.
The undertaking form can be accessed on the Immigration NZ website.
RSE employers will not need to obtain a new Agreement to Recruit (ATR) for these workers awaiting repatriation. There is no application fee.
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Reduced stand down
Workers who have been in New Zealand as a result of Covid and repatriate (back to the Pacific Islands) will have their stand down period reduced from four months to two, before they can travel back to New Zealand through quarantine free travel. Workers who are in New Zealand and are awaiting repatriation will be eligible to apply for further RSE Limited Visas.
Health requirements for visa applications
The current chest x-ray requirement waiver for workers from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu applying in New Zealand for a further RSE visa will remain.
However, applicants from other Pacific countries who are in New Zealand and all applicants outside of New Zealand are still required to provide a chest x-ray with their RSE Limited visa application.
Streamlined application form
Applicants in New Zealand can now apply for an RSE Limited visa application using a streamlined form - Application from an Onshore RSE Worker (INZ 1269). Passport photos are not required with this form.
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Freshwater Farm Plans for growers on the Waimea Plains
HortNZ is offering free Freshwater Farm Plan (FWFP) workshops to NZGAP and GLOBALG.A.P. certified fruit, vegetable and hops growers on the Waimea Plains.
This is in response to nitrate levels in aquifers below the plains exceeding some drinking water standards. At the same time, HortNZ is developing a Memorandum of Understanding with Tasman District Council to collaborate on the water quality science.
Grower meeting:
A grower meeting will be between 2.00 – 4.00pm on 27 October at the Headling Centre, Home of Grace Church. This meeting will cover the status of freshwater farm plan regulations, the catchment context and the GAP EMS, the FWFP workshops and what to expect, and the updated catchment modelling and science report. We encourage all growers to attend.
Grower workshops:
The FWFP workshop and field visit for fruit and hops growers will be held Thursday 11 November. The FWFP workshop and field visit for vegetable growers will be held Friday 12 November.
To register for the first meeting and workshops, please submit this online form.
If you have any questions, or have not received a direct email about this already, please get in touch with Ailsa.Robertson@hortnz.co.nz or Jordyn.Landers@hortnz.co.nz.
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What are FWFPs?
Freshwater Farm Plans (FWFP) are being introduced as part of the Government's Essential Freshwater policy package. They are similar to Farm Environment Plans. Both types of farm plan require growers to map their property, identify environmental risks (such as erosion) and assess how they will mitigate those risks.
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Catchment and community environment group survey
The Cawthron Institute is conducting a first-ever nationwide survey of all community environmental improvement and catchment groups.
The survey is open until 8 October and takes about 20-25 minutes to complete. If you have any questions, please contact alaric.mccarthy@cawthron.org.nz.
Completed surveys will provide evidence for support from industry and government organisations. For each of the first 300 completed surveys, Cawthron will donate $20 to the Rural Support Trusts or Predator Free New Zealand Trust.
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Supermarket study conference details
The Commerce Commission’s supermarket study has been delayed due to Covid until March 2022.
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, the Commission will now be holding an online virtual consultation conference instead of the planned in-person conference. The virtual conference will take place between 21 October and 2 November 2021, with sessions to be held between 9.30am and 12.30pm each day.
If you would like to attend or speak at one of the sessions, please send an expression of interest by Wednesday 6 October to marketstudies@comcom.govt.nz.
The agenda will be published by Monday 11 October, and they will seek RSVPs by
Thursday 14 October. Only those who have RSVP’d will receive information on how to join each session. If you have any questions, please contact marketstudies@comcom.govt.nz
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Invitation to Te Pūkenga employer briefing
Te Pūkenga is the new organisation that will bring the 16 polytechnics and industry training organisations together into one new national network from January 2023.
Employers are being asked for feedback via online workshops to help Te Pūkenga develop its operating model.
To book a place for one of the workshops, please register below.
Monday 18 October: 4.00 - 5.15pm
Tuesday 19 October: 12.00 - 1.15pm
Tuesday 19 October: 4.00 - 5.15pm
Thursday 21 October: 12.00 - 1.15pm
Thursday 21 October: 4.00 - 5.15pm
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MG Marketing Charitable Trust funding applications due 22 October 2021
The MG Marketing Charitable Trust (MG Trust) has been established to contribute towards the general improvement, capability and profile of the horticulture industry in New Zealand.
Applications for the next funding round are due on 22 October 2021. To apply for funding, visit the MG Trust webpage.
You can also email mgtrust@mgmarketing.co.nz if you have any questions about the MG Trust or the application process.
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