If you can't find New Zealand citizens or residents to plant, maintain, harvest or pack crops in the horticulture and viticulture industries, you might be able to employ workers from overseas under one of these policies.
Recognised Seasonal Employer Policy (RSE)
Recognised Seasonal Employer Policy is our main policy to meet horticulture and viticulture industry labour needs. This policy allows employers who are able to meet certain employment standards to access the same overseas workers (primarily from the Pacific) for many seasons consecutively. It is most useful for employers who need access to skilled and experienced overseas workers every year.
Supplementary Seasonal Employment Policy (SSE)
Supplementary Seasonal Employer Policy allows employers to supplement their workforce with workers from overseas who are already in New Zealand at times when labour demand exceeds the available New Zealand workforce. Employers must have made reasonable attempts to train and recruit New Zealand citizens and residents to fill these positions.
It is most useful for employers who are unable to find suitable and available New Zealanders during a period of high labour demand.
Transitioning to Recognised Seasonal Employer Policy (TRSE)
Transitioning to Recognised Seasonal Employer Policy was a two year policy which allowed employers, who intended to use RSE policy in the future, to access workers who were already in New Zealand.
This policy is no longer available, but if you previously obtained an Approval in Principle under TRSE policy and it is still valid, you may be able to recruit workers under the new SSE Policy to fill these places instead. Contact the RSE Unit at Wellington Branch for more information.
Variations of Conditions (VOC)
A variation of conditions allows visitors to New Zealand to work for short periods. It is most useful for employers who need to quickly 'top-up' their workforce to cover a short seasonal peak.
Working Holiday Scheme (WHS)
The Working Holiday Scheme allows a limited number of young people from certain countries to come to New Zealand to travel and undertake temporary work. It is most useful for employers who need additional short-term, flexible workers.