Picking and packing the 2015 kiwifruit crop is in full swing at Hume Pack-N-Cool in Katikati, where director Mark Hume is upbeat about the season.

Hume Pack-N-Cool has the ability to add to more lanes to its grader, to give a 20 per cent increase in throughput.

“We have the ability to add to more lanes to our grader to give us a 20 per cent increase in throughput when the time arises. We will need to look at further coolstorage in two to three years’ time.”

The company is employing the same number of staff as in previous years, and they are able to do more hours and earn more money.

“Staff will be able to work five to six days a week consistently during the season.”

In mid-March workers arrived from Tonga under the Recognised Seasonal Employers scheme to add to the team of locals, many of them full time staff, and backpackers.

Mark says his only concern for the season is picking “given that we normally get seven days rain at least during April”.

“We have additional staff to handle picking but Mother Nature needs to play her part. Some facilities are going to have real big issues being able to cope with the volume of picking, packing and coolstoring. We are very comfortable with our preparations.”

The kiwifruit harvest is well underway for Hume Pack-N-Cool.

The 2015 season offers employment opportunities for locals and those with work visa at Hume Pack-N-Cool.