Welcome to this week’s grower update – bringing you up to date with the latest Industry and harvest at Seeka. We are in the final days of kiwifruit harvest 2019, and we thank all our growers, contractors and staff for your efforts and support through what has been a challenging harvest with the completion of harvest delayed though poor weather in the late stages. As kiwifruit closes our Northland avocado harvest commences.
This week I have the privilege to participate in the Ministerial delegation to the Pacific Islands led by the Rt Hon Winston Peters (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs). The delegation included a number of senior Government Ministers, MP’s from all parties, NGO’s, business people and the troop of media. The delegation visited the Solomon’s and Vanuatu and I will take a few moments over the next few weeks to profile the countries for you. My specific interest was the Recognized Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE) with Seeka sourcing people from both of the visited countries. It was a fantastic trip and we gained important insights to both countries along with a deep appreciation of the benefit that New Zealand’s aid and support bring to those countries.
In the case of the Solomon’s, they have a population of around 670,000 people spread across nine provinces. Unemployment sits at around 75%, with under employment over 90%. There is a massive youth proportion of the population. New Zealand’s Police have played an important part in establishing a stable and respected Police Force in the Solomon’s through an advisory role. New Zealand’s aid in the region is targeted and delivers specific project based support with a specific airport development project seen to be a step change. As part of the meetings, we visited the Port which is growing, progressive and financially well structured. But four out of five arriving containers leaves empty. The RSE scheme delivers huge financial support. Our Seeka 145 workers sourced from across the Solomon’s will deliver between $1.5m and $2m directly back to their communities improving their standard of living, housing, education and delivers an important multiplier effect within the economy. And of course I made the offer and representation that we could take more to supplement our own local workforce at peak times.
To the numbers:
Time income has commenced for the Gold categories, Green commences in week 26.
Seeka Growers Thursday 13 June
All Growers are invited to attend the Seeka Growers council meeting on Thursday 13 June. Bruce Cameron (Zespri Chairman) will be presenting to the council on the Zespri structure and the shared cost proposal for the system and process changes at 8.30am, followed by morning tea. Anyone who then wants attend the council’s June meeting are welcome to attend from 10am.
My kind regards
Michael
Seeka Key
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