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Out of work kiwis picking up new work with horticulture industry

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 30 Mar 2020, 10:02AM
(Photo / Getty)
(Photo / Getty)

Out of work kiwis picking up new work with horticulture industry

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 30 Mar 2020, 10:02AM

Many people who are out of work due to the lockdown are being picked up by the horticulture industry.

A number of crops are due to be picked soon.

But Chief Executive of Horticulture NZ Mike Chapman told Mike Hosking a large chunk of their workforce wasn't able to get into the country.

"Normally at this time of year we're about 1500 to 200 workers short. As the borders closed we had another 1500 workers due to come down from the Pacific Islands and they didn't get here."

Chapman says they're filling the gaps with keen kiwis who are currently out of work.

He says they're an innovative industry.

"The New Zealand apples and pears and kiwifruit growers are doing a fantastic job picking up displaced workers and getting involved in the kiwifruit and apple harvests."

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