New Zealandʼs Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme: Pathways and Prospects

Managed temporary labour migration from the Pacific has grown in importance in recent years as New Zealand and Australia seek to fill seasonal labour shortages and strengthen regional relationships by providing cash-earning opportunities to citizens of Pacific Island countries. This paper provides an overview of New Zealandʼs Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, a circular migration programme to support the countryʼs horticulture and viticulture industries. The scheme began in 2007 and now allows over 20,000 RSE workers a year to enter the country for seasonal work. This paper outlines how the RSE scheme operates, including trends in employersʼ recruitment from the Pacific, and features of employer and worker participation over time. The scheme has been transformative for the horticultural sector due to the certainty of labour it provides during peak seasons. It is also a significant foreign policy tool, helping to continually reaffirm New Zealandʼs long-standing partnerships with Pacific Island countries.