Here at The Regions we enjoy working with our clients to provide recruitment solutions for their farms, so we thought it was about time for a recruitment round up.
The first quarter of 2019 has set the scene for an exciting year ahead. February and March were extremely busy months for our team, reflecting the need for our recruitment and immigration services within New Zealand’s agricultural sector.
There continues to be a severe labour shortage on New Zealand farms resulting in increasing pressure on farmers, so the recruitment of hardworking farmworkers is more important than ever. This ever-increasing labour need has seen us open our first office abroad.
New office in The Philippines
We are excited to have relocated our very own ‘Kiwi boy’ from the Hawkes Bay to be The Regions representative in The Philippines. Sam Luscombe, a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA), is now based full time in Manila and will be working closely with our Key Account Managers to enhance the recruitment and immigration process. Sam’s presence on the ground in Manila means we can conduct in-person interviews and screening of candidates to ensure we continue to recruit the level of skill our farming community needs in a workforce here in New Zealand.
Company directors, Ben and Patricia, will be visiting The Philippines in April to continue our commitment to improving our recruitment services.
Farmworker placements in Q1
We are thrilled to have been able to welcome 47 farmworkers and 20 families to New Zealand so far this year. These farmworkers have been placed in employment around the country, including Ashburton, Invercargill, Palmerston North, Te Kauwhata, Thames and Tokoroa.
Each of these farmworkers and their families will be supported by our pastoral care team to ensure they settle into working life in New Zealand and enjoy all the benefits of a Kiwi lifestyle!
Important dates in 2019
As employers of farmworkers we need to stay abreast of changes to employment law in New Zealand. One of the main changes to occur in 2019 is to the minimum wage. As of 1 April, 2019, the minimum wage has increased from $16.50 per hour to $17.70 per hour. Further increases are set to occur in 2020 and 2021.
We thought this was also an opportune time to remind our farming community of the new housing laws around insulation and heating of rental properties, which includes farm accommodation. Ceiling and underfloor insulation must be installed in rental properties, where it is reasonably practicable, by 1 July, 2019.
Employment support
At The Regions, our team of key account managers are placed around New Zealand to provide recruitment and immigration support to our country’s farmers. If you need further labour support on your farm or know of fellow New Zealand farmers who do, do put them in touch with our key account managers.
