9. RUSSELL FAIRBROTHER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Immigration
What steps, if any, is the Government taking through immigration policy to assist orchardists in the Hawke’s Bay?
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Associate Minister of Immigration) Link to this
The Government and the horticulture and viticulture industries have in partnership developed, for the first time, a seasonal strategy, which will be formally launched by the Government next month. Given that New Zealand has the lowest unemployment rate in the OECD, and having satisfied ourselves that there is a genuine labour shortage, the Government has approved in principle the recruitment of 450 overseas workers for the horticulture industry in the Hawke’s Bay region.
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
The aim of the strategy is to ensure that there is an emphasis on employing New Zealanders first and using immigration as a secondary option where there is a genuine shortage. That approach has been welcomed enthusiastically by the industry and is another example of this Government working in partnership with industry for the benefit of New Zealand.
Craig FossIs the Minister aware of the approximately 18 approved immigration permits submitted by Hawke’s Bay growers in the past 12 months, the majority of which have been given up on by the applicants due to inaction by the Minister, and the remainder of which appear simply to have vanished, and can he explain how that type of ineptitude assists the orchardists of Hawke’s Bay?
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
This strategy has taken some 18 months to put together, and the reason for that is that we have developed it in partnership, which has involved dialogue between Government agencies and industry members. I would have thought the member would welcome the fact that we have answered the industry’s need, identified a genuine labour shortage, and put together a strategy that will ensure the sustainability of that industry.
R Doug WoolertonHas the impact on the projected number of overstayers as a result of this policy shift been analysed by the New Zealand Immigration Service; if so, what is the projected impact, and if not, why not, especially in the light of a recent daytime brawl in the Hawke’s Bay involving 10 overstayers armed with meat cleavers and iron bars, combined with the fact that the Immigration Service managed to lose an entire Tongan rugby team in 2004?
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
All countries have overstayers, and it is a problem in New Zealand as well—we acknowledge that. In terms of ensuring repatriation, I can say to the member that it is in the interests of the employers themselves, if they are to revisit an approval in principle next year, firstly, that they have to guarantee that the workers will be repatriated, and secondly, that the employers have guaranteed that by meeting the costs associated with repatriation, up to $3,000 per worker.