The face of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme

Three years have passed since we first met ni-Vanuatu RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employer) Scheme workers in New Zealand. We have observed how the confidence of those who return year after year,  has grown by working, living, participating and being acknowledged as valued members of our local communities and economies.  We have seen evidence in their home villages of the positive impacts, working in New Zealand has created for their wider communities.  For New Zealand, without these workers from Vanuatu and other pacific nations – Tonga and Samoa – crops grown in New Zealand would not be harvested – it’s a win-win situation.  We have been privileged to gain an insight into the experiences and impact of this scheme at a grass roots level and will share those over the next few weeks.