Media release
RSE Employer of the Year helping communities thrive
Published
09 October 2025
Cederman Bros Limited, a long-standing family orchard in Riwaka, has been named The Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Employer of the Year for its outstanding commitment to workers and the local community.
The award was presented by Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ), with representatives from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in attendance at the ceremony.
Each season, the orchard welcomes more than 50 workers from Samoa and Fiji alongside 19 local staff. Over many years, Cederman Bros has built a reputation for creating not just jobs, but opportunities for growth and wellbeing.
“Cederman Bros show what partnership looks like when employers put people first,” says Faamata Laumalili, National Manager Pacific. “Their approach respects culture, invests in skills, and supports communities on both sides of the moana. That’s the heart of the RSE programme.”
A programme at the heart of our communities
The RSE scheme helps horticulture and viticulture employers meet seasonal labour needs when there are not enough local workers. Employers hire seasonal workers from Pacific nations for crop planting, maintenance, harvesting and packing.
The RSE programme delivers lasting community benefits. Seasonal earnings support families and village economies, while training like Vakameasina builds practical and leadership skills. Cederman Bros’ diabetes awareness work shows how local partnerships enhance wellbeing. Respecting culture and encouraging community ties strengthens connections between Pacific workers and New Zealand communities. “The RSE programme is about more than filling jobs,” says Faamata Laumalili. “It’s about creating opportunities that last — income, skills and confidence that flow back into families and villages.”
Cederman Bros exemplifies this approach. They sponsor sports uniforms, allow time off for volleyball tournaments, and support cultural observance such as Sunday as a Sabbath. They also partner with local health initiatives and encourage participation in churches and community projects.
“When workers thrive, communities thrive,” Faamata adds. “Cederman Bros has understood this for years — creating space for faith, family, sport and health while building skills that last.”
Proven impact here and at home
Even during challenges such as recent floods, Cederman Bros has remained committed to it is people, expanding its workforce and exploring long term pathways like work visas and quota schemes. Their people first approach, cultural respect and community investment set a benchmark not only for the RSE scheme in New Zealand, but across the Asia–Pacific region.
“RSE scheme is most powerful when it builds pathways - so that income, skills, and confidence flow back into families and villages,” says Faamata Laumalili. “Cederman Bros is a great example of that promise in action.”