Labour shortage hitting Mid-Canterbury harvest season
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
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It’s known as the breadbasket of New Zealand, but Mid-Canterbury workers could become burnt out trying to complete this year’s harvest.
The issue is a worker shortage due to delays in skilled overseas workers getting into the country, locals say.
The Government announced changes in December to the class exemption scheme and securing more visas for overseas workers, but the amendment was only actioned last Friday.
Ashburton mayor and farmer Neil Brown said workers would likely burn out trying to get this year’s harvest completed.
“I’m reasonably certain the harvest will be done but what it’s doing is the farm staff and contractors that are available are working harder and longer, and they will burn out.
“[The harvest] is a farmer’s income, so they will do everything they can to get it on time and beat the weather.”
Consumers will be hoping they do, or they will face further price spikes.
The disappointing factor for Brown is that the visa issue has been an ongoing discussion with the Government for two years. “And it hasn’t been remedied.”
Federated Farmers Mid-Canterbury president David Clark said there was not much farmers and contractors could do other than get on with the job.
“We are all working long hours and if the weather turns against us in the harvest it’s going to be a massive problem.”
Methven-based May Brothers Contracting managing director and harvesting manager Phil May said delays in getting overseas workers would have a massive impact.
“We are having to train and upskill people, but you can only do so much and that takes time.”
Pre-Covid, they usually got about 25 workers in for the harvest season, he said.
They were about 10 staff short this season, meaning the staff they did have were working some long hours.
“It’s not ideal and frustrating as you feel for the staff you do have, but harvest doesn’t stop for anyone.”
Clark said with the Government being aware of the issue, its continued mishandling was another slap in the face for primary industry.
“The agriculture minister needs to be the minister of primary industry and actually go into bat for us.
“If it wasn’t for the primary sector in New Zealand this country would be hanging up the in receivership sign.”
The continued delays meant the much-needed workers would probably not arrive until it was too late, if they came at all, he said.
“[The Government] seem to think we will just magic up some locals to do this work.”
The issue was that it was seasonal work, providing jobs for three to five months, he said.
“You can’t offer someone a full time permanent position. You need a big peak workforce.”
Before Covid-19 restricted travel, northern hemisphere workers readily arrived here for harvest, and New Zealand workers reciprocated by heading north in winter, he said.
This summer, farmers and contractors were having to make do with the local staff at their disposal.
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
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