Rapidly increasing fruit volumes mean the kiwifruit industry will need an additional 2000 employees within the next two years.

“Our focus is our members are fully compliant, striving for best practice and wishing to employ New Zealanders first.

“All our members have current certificates of compliance from New Zealand Master Contractors Inc, including GlobalGAP or the RSE scheme.”

Ian says contractors are significant employers in the industry, alongside growers and post-harvest facilities, particularly during the peak picking season.

“Without contractors the horticulture and viticulture industries would not function,” says Ian.

“However, there is continuing pressure to incur cost and achieve compliance with a range of employment, immigration, health and safety and various quality assurance programmes.  

“Unfortunately there is also a significant number of non-compliant and fringe ‘cowboy’ operators, who continue in business with no aspiration to meet these requirements.”

It’s the aim of the Master Contractors to address those problems.

Ian says another initiative in development and consultation stage is creation of the Kiwifruit ID card, which employees registered to work in the industry may be given.

“The card will include their photo and have a barcode, which labour inspectors can read with their mobile phone to ensure the person is legally allowed to work in NZ.

“Growers who have contract teams coming onto their orchards will also be able to ask to see the cards, to ensure all staff are working legally.”

Anyone interesting in discussing industry partnerships or joining Master Contractors should contact Ian Fryer by emailing: ian@mastercontractors.co.nz