Most farmers have a healthy working relationship with their employer/employees and this is demonstrated by transparent and respectful two-way communication within a Contract/ Agreement that satisfies both parties.
However, there are times when farming conditions or individual stresses create an environment that is not healthy. Rural Support Facilitators are trained to provide a supportive environment so both parties can work their way back to the previous good working relationship, or triage to professionals that offer expertise.
Please ring your local Coordinator for other support.
Minimum wage
As a minimum employees must be paid the NZ minimum wage for every hour worked in every pay period (rent can be deducted from this). If they request a copy of your wage and time records (and holiday and leave records) you must provide it.
Talk to your accountant, payroll provider or your finance/HR teams to ensure you are meeting current legal requirements.
Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme
The New Zealand Government’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme has been in place since 2007.
Government-run, the scheme allows employers within the horticulture and viticulture industries to recruit a capped number of workers from overseas – predominantly from the Pacific – for seasonal work in New Zealand. The cap is reviewed annually.
The RSE scheme is a mutually beneficial partnership supporting the economies and communities of both Pacific nations and New Zealand. Pacific workers receive training, mentoring and develop skills they can take home to begin their own business ventures, while earning an income that is sent back to their families and the wider community.
At the same time, the RSE scheme supports New Zealand growing businesses during peak harvest times and enables the horticulture and viticulture industries to employ New Zealanders in skilled, full-time positions.
As an employer in the RSE Scheme, you must provide pastoral care support to your RSE workers while they are in New Zealand.
Pastoral care is a key requirement for obtaining an Agreement to Recruit (ATR) and maintaining RSE status.