NAUTILUS ESTATE. PHOTO: RICHARD BRIGGS
Advocacy Identifying what’s required for New Zealand’s winegrowers to produce, market and sell competitively, and then providing the support tools and advocacy to make that change a reality.
WORKFORCE ACTIVITIES
them advise their students about the options
Over the past 12 months our members
available in viticulture and wine.
have had to make business decisions in conditions of ongoing uncertainty. Our role
To shape an industry workforce strategy, NZW
has been to provide up-to-date information
has commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers
to inform decision-making, and to advocate
to provide a strategic issues paper on the
for changes to immigration and the Recognised
increasing workforce shortages and potential
Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme that were
solutions. The report will be used to engage
creating blockages.
with our regional associations, local and central government to explore potential options to
We are an active member of the RSE Industry
manage seasonal labour issues across the short
Chief Executives Group, and this group was
and medium term. We will continue working
successful in reinstating the entry of RSE
with regions and members to share the key
workers from the Pacific. We continue to work
issues and take action on the best solutions.
closely alongside the horticulture sector and the government, to ensure we have the offshore
POTENTIAL FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS
labour we need to meet our critical seasonal work
ON THE HORIZON
peaks. The recent government announcement
New Zealand continues its negotiations for
that RSE workers from Samoa, Tonga and
a free trade agreement with both the EU
Vanuatu will have quarantine-free travel to
and the UK. NZW is regularly engaging with
New Zealand was a very welcome and positive
government to advocate for winegrowers’
development for our Vintage 22 workforce.
interests and to ensure that matters specific to industry are adequately addressed in any
We have also increased our support for
eventual agreement.
attracting New Zealanders to the industry. This included creating career pathways resources to
We appreciate those members who have
demonstrate the range of roles and progression
supported us by providing information and case
into other pathways, illustrated with real people
studies for our discussions with officials — these
in the industry. The second phase will involve
help us to paint a picture of how an agreement
developing further resources for teachers to help
would work for winegrowers.
NEW ZEALAND WINEGROWERS INC / 7
