Fond farewell to RSE workers

After ten months of hard work in Central’s orchards, it’s haere rā to those in our community who are returning to their families in neighbouring pacific countries. 

For recognised seasonal employer workers (RSE) it's been stressful due to the Covid-19 pandemic, travel restrictions and pre-departure testing. 

Clyde Orchards has a team of 12 Ni vans (from Vanuatu) who contribute significantly to the operation during the season; planting, maintaining, harvesting and packing crops. 

Operations manager Kris Robb said the RSE crew are a highly skilled group of men who arrive and leave on the shoulders of the fruit season.  

“They, along with our team of full time staff, provide the foundation to build a highly productive crew... The major difference between them and our kiwi cohort of seasonal labour is the amount of time that they are available.  

“Not many of our kiwi seasonal staff are in a position to be able to commit to work for seven months. These guys ensure our seasonal sensitive tasks are performed at the optimal time, giving us the confidence to expand our business and give more kiwis the opportunity of seasonal work or a fulfilling full time career.”

Six of the Ni van crew packed up and left early on Saturday morning. They’ve been on the ground in Central for almost a year after making it through managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) requirements to get into the country. 

Kris said the team’s hard work deserved acknowledgement.

“It’s been so hard as you have had all this uncertainty about when and if you can or can’t get home.

“But tomorrow you’ll be heading over to Vanuatu, where it is 26 degrees Celsius.”

Bags packed and time for a hug as the crew departed from Sunbury Park, Earnscleugh. PHOTO: The Central App

The Ni van crew will need to isolate for three days in a sports stadium upon arrival in Port Vila and then for an additional three days when they get back to their individual smaller islands of residence.

Cliff, Roy, Michael, John, Solomon and Milton said they would all definitely be returning to Central in October.

Some of the crew have been doing this for 14 years and returning every year to Clyde Orchards. The first RSE workers in New Zealand were 16 years ago.

Cliff, who is almost one of the family at Clyde Orchards, is modest and thankful for his job.

“Thanks for the opportunity to earn money to help our families back home,” he said.

On the night before they left they were going shopping for final items to take home including toys, fishing gear, torches, instruments and chocolate. 

Kris said that in previous seasons up to three 40 foot containers have been loaded up with things such as motor bikes, boats, solar panels, building supplies and even big bags of washing powder.  

“This year with the price of freight there wasn’t a container at our place so smaller items were taken. Guitars, torches and fishing rods looked like they were in hot demand.”

The Central App asked the crew what they’re most looking forward to doing in Vanuatu. 

They said being together with their wives, girlfriends, children and wider whanau and just staying home and going out fishing. 

Seasonal Solutions Cooperative Ltd operations manager Ieremia Lemuelu manages the process of bringing more than 1,400 RSE workers each year to the horticulture industry in Central, Marlborough and Canterbury.

He said the repatriation of the workers was especially hard now in the Covid-19 environment. 

“I’ve been kicking down doors to make sure these guys get home.”

Recently, he drove some Kiribati workers to Christchurch himself when he still wasn’t sure that they’d be able to fly out.

“I was so happy to see them get on the plane to go home to their families,” Ieremia said. 

RSE workers bring diversity and culture to Central including playing sport, attending church and playing music. 

The Ni van band at Clyde Orchards has become a local Facebook hit, with one of their music videos attracting almost two thousand views.

Sharing RSE resources is producing efficiency across the horticulture sector, and an example of this is how the Ni van crew helped out at Felton Road winery in April, assisting with harvesting the 2022 vintage. 

Kris said this year, as is usual for them, the crew have harvested grapes and packed apples at more than half a dozen different properties when other growers have been short staffed.

“The biggest thing these guys have taught me is gratitude and to be thankful for what we have. Their laughs are infectious,” Kris said.