From p1 // RSE move hailed but for housing

able to thrive . . . But at the same time, we need to ensure that those people who are generous enough to be part of our primary industries are also well looked after.

‘‘We are continuing to do some work, though there is more full review going on to ensure that we are looking after our workers. There have been examples where clearly it hasn’t been occurring, and frankly, these employers shouldn’t have the privilege of having these workers work for them.’’

Central Otago Wine Association general manager Jake Tipler said the wine industry would hire RSE workers from as early as two weeks away for the entirety of the season.

Tipler said the wine industry had been stretched to the brink in the last three years and having extra workers would go some way to easing that.

Aside from RSE workers, the industry relied heavily on backpackers, which had dropped remarkably since Covid hit.

‘‘That is definitely not back to normal as I think we were getting 80,000 [working holiday visas approved] a year nationwide, and now it is down to 8000.

‘‘We are still looking for lots of help for the harvest in particular. We need the workers throughout the whole season and the sooner we can get them into the country the better, we need them in the next few weeks.’’

Tipler said he was comfortable that Central Otago vineyards were looking after RSE workers and migrant seasonal workers.

‘‘We haven’t seen any issues but it definitely is a topic. As an industry we are committed to taking care of our RSE workers we are comfortable the wine industry are respectful in that space, we are doing anything we can to make sure it is a safe work environment for them.’’

Ardern had earlier in the day visited the new Sanford Marine Extract plant at Riverlands.