PM Marape applauds PNG seasonal workers in New Zealand

Prime Minister James Marape has applauded the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, where over 30 young Papua New Guineans have been given an opportunity of employment in New Zealand.

During his visit to the T&G Apple Orchard in Evenden yesterday , he commended the PNG  fruit-pickers on the outstanding report he received from their employer.

PM Marape and his delegation were given the opportunity to see and participate in the fruit-picking process of the T&G Apple Orchard in Evenden.

PM Marape picking apples at the T&G Apple Orchard

PM Marape, wife Rachael and the delegation which visited the T&G Apple Ochard in Hawke's Bay, with the PNG seasonal workers.

He assured the students that he would return to PNG and get the Labour Department and the NID Office to speed up their processes, so that more PNG students can come to New Zealand and Australia and find employment through our labour mobility program with New Zealand.

“My delegation has taken note of the issues hindering the process of engaging more of our people in this labour mobility programme, and we look forward to rectifying this matter, " PM Marape said.

“Our Government aims to promote this programmw with New Zealand and Australia, where our people can save some of the money they earn and engage in starting up SMEs when they return home to PNG after they retire."

He said the Government not only looks to having Papua New Guineans to join the RSE scheme as fruit-pickers, but aims to increase this programme in the technical avenues as well.

“It is obvious Australia and New Zealand will require our skilled labour in the not-too-distant future; hence, we have to prepare our young people for this, and in the SME secter as well," PM Marape said.

“With this, our delegation will return home and ensure our Labour Department and NID processes are streamlined to quickly send more people over to work in New Zealand, and Australia for that matter."

Whilst visiting the orchard, PM Marape participated in the fruit-picking process and was able to taste freshly-grown apples  nurtured by our very own Papua New Guineans at the orchard.

He later visited the geothermal plant and hotsping in Rotorua, saying PNG could gain a lot in terms of electrification programmes from New Zealand.
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