Providing pastoral care for RSE workers

As a Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE), you must provide support to RSE workers when they arrive here, while they work for you and when their contract ends.

Pastoral care for RSE workers

As an employer in the  scheme, you must provide support to your RSE workers while they are in New Zealand — we call this 'pastoral care'.

Pastoral care is a key requirement to get an Agreement to Recruit (ATR) and maintain RSE status.

Check the guide for details on the support you need to provide:

Supporting RSE workers when they arrive in New Zealand

When the workers first arrive in New Zealand you must:

  • arrange for someone to pick them up from the airport
  • arrange suitable accommodation — in some regions there are restrictions on the use of residential housing
  • provide a work induction programme to help them settle in. For help on what to cover in the induction use these guides.

Accommodation for RSE workers

You must also explain how they can:

  • get medical care and use their insurance
  • access banking services
  • send money home safely.

Supporting RSE workers while they work for you

While RSE workers are working for you, you must provide:

  • transport to and from work
  • any safety equipment they need to do their job — for example protective clothing
  • toilets and somewhere to wash their hands
  • first aid, shelter and fresh drinking water
  • translations of health and safety instructions
  • opportunities for recreation and religious observance.

When an RSE worker's contract ends

When an RSE worker's contract ends you must pay half the airfare to their country of residence and provide transport to the airport.

For a Kiribati or Tuvaluan worker, you must pay half the airfare between New Zealand and Nadi, Fiji.