Story: Nelson region

Seasonal workers: Pacific Island workers packing apples (2nd of 2)

Seasonal workers: Pacific Island workers packing apples

Tongan seasonal workers (from left) Akosita Fuapau, Selina Malupo and Teuila Teu pack apples at a Richmond packhouse in 2008. Workers from Tonga and Vanuatu had arrived in Motueka and Riwaka under a government scheme. Orchardists have long struggled to get reliable seasonal labour, as backpackers often only worked for a month, and all workers had to be trained. Under the government scheme Pacific Island workers worked in the region for five-and-a-half months, earning more money than they could make at home, and giving employers a reliable labour supply.

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Nelson region - Population and society', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/28859/seasonal-workers-pacific-island-workers-packing-apples (accessed 28 March 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, updated 1 Aug 2015