WH3.1 Objectives (12/02/2008)

The objectives of the Transitioning to Recognised Seasonal Employer (TRSE) policy are:

1. to allow employers in the horticulture and viticulture industries, who are committed to working towards utilising RSE policy, to supplement their New Zealand workforce with onshore non-New Zealand citizen or resident workers when labour demand exceeds the available New Zealand workforce; and
2. to ensure that the objectives of RSE policy are not undermined, through:
   1. promoting best practice that is consistent with the requirements of RSE policy; and
   2. ensuring that the employment of workers under TRSE policy does not undermine the wages and conditions of New Zealand workers.

WH3.1.1 Overview

1. Employers who wish to recruit non-New Zealand citizen or resident workers in New Zealand to plant, maintain, harvest or pack crops in the horticulture or viticulture industry under this policy must first obtain TRSE approval in principle.
2. TRSE approval in principle will only be given for periods when demand for seasonal workers in the horticulture or viticulture industry cannot be met from the available New Zealand workforce. INZ will assess the availability of suitable New Zealand citizen or resident workers in consultation with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
3. TRSE work permit applications will only be granted where there are available positions of employment, as determined by INZ in consultation with the MSD.
4. An employer with TRSE approval in principle may offer employment (to plant, maintain, harvest or pack crops) to non-New Zealand citizen or resident workers who hold a TRSE work permit (see WH3.10) provided that the employer does not exceed the maximum number of TRSE workers stated on their TRSE approval in principle at any one time.
5. Workers will be granted TRSE work permits for a duration of four months, and will only be eligible for a TRSE work permit once.

Effective 12/02/2008