Seasonal scheme defines N.Z. ties

By Ivamere Nataro 17 November 2018, 12:00AM

The recognised seasonal employer (R.S.E.) scheme in New Zealand will stay, and it will be the culture of the New Zealand workforce. 

So says Samoa’s Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, Magele Mauiliu Magele, who said this is according to the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Ministry of Labour in New Zealand.   

“It’s going to be expanding,” Magele said.

“We now have more than 2,000 people there at the moment on R.S.E. plus we have some people on skilled labour and some working on the farm. That system is working really well and is favourable for the employees.” 

He also said that bilateral relations between Samoa and New Zealand have really improved, and more produce from Samoa will soon be seen on the shelves of New Zealand supermarkets. 

“A good example is our banana. They’ve been really helpful. They had some problems but they managed to get our bananas on to the shelves in a week, but hopefully the next shipment, we’ll be able to get it out onto the shelves much faster now,” Magele said. 

“We haven’t shipped bananas for years now and we expect some delays, but I’m sure the next shipment it will go straight through the shelves. Right now we are exporting taro and bananas, the local Ministry and exporters are waiting for the final agreement from New Zealand to ship pineapples.”

 “According to the Minister for Agriculture, the next shipment will be Tahitian lime. A lot of the produce here are now possible for exporting, we just have to get through biosecurity, so it takes a little bit of time, but we definitely have a market for our pawpaws’, our oka, there’s even talk about taking over our flowers.”

Magele was in Samoa for the first Samoa Business Network Trip, which concluded earlier this the week. 

By Ivamere Nataro 17 November 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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