New Zealand contractors have for years relied on skilled overseas machinery operators for the busy summer season. Traditionally, many of these skilled operators have been Irish.

However, since COVID-19 became rampant, NZ has completely shut its borders. In recent months, this has been of huge concern for agricultural contractors who have financed millions of dollars’ worth of machinery. The machines are in the yard ready to go but in many cases, there are not enough Kiwis with the skills to drive them.

After much debate and hard work from Rural Contractors NZ (RCNZ), the association in New Zealand representing agricultural contractors, the NZ Government recently made the decision to allow up to 210 skilled overseas machinery operators to come into New Zealand for the spring/summer season.

The skilled machinery operators will be among those allowed entry alongside a number of vets and deep-sea fishing crews

It is understood the majority of these operators will be Irish and British. The skilled machinery operators will be among those allowed entry alongside a number of vets and deep-sea fishing crews. We understand that the RCNZ is currently working with the NZ government who are looking into a chartered flight, before all drivers will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine period on arrival.

Approval

RCNZ president David Kean says the organisation has spent months working with government ministers and officials to secure the approval.

The news comes after months of contractors being repeatedly told to employ more New Zealanders, many of whom had lost their jobs due to COVID-19. The association had emphasised that while most locals coming into the industry can learn to drive a tractor, many simply can’t step up safely into the cab of a complex machine like a combine harvester.

Those who completed the course were given a month’s paid work experience

Local job seekers in NZ benefited from free training designed to provide careers for people wanting to work operating machinery. Several courses of free training took place which included a week learning how to drive and operate a tractor. Those who completed the course were given a month’s paid work experience. However, contractors also faced the challenges that even if people managed to acquire some of the skills required, there were cases where people didn’t want to move from cities to rural areas.

The busy season is now getting underway in New Zealand and although this decision comes at the 11th hour, it is being welcomed with open arms. The association initially started off thinking they may need 700 overseas staff, but eventually whittled it down to 210.

Irish driver’s view

Wexford man Trevor Reville has made the annual pilgrimage to AT Cook Contracting Ltd in the North Island of New Zealand each year since 2014. He explained: “Both myself and a number of other Irish lads have been in regular contact with AT Cook Contracting regarding visas all summer. Finally, we understand that Cooks are hoping to have secured a number of the allocated 210 visas, all of which they are intending to give to a number of people here in Ireland who have been travelling over and back for the past number of years.

It’s been a very uncertain few months for drivers who travel over each year

The firm is hoping to have it sorted out very soon. It’s been a very uncertain few months for drivers who travel over each year. Working in New Zealand for six months each year is part of our livelihoods, especially as seasonal work with contractors here in Ireland is starting to slow down. We understand the first chartered flight could be as soon as mid-October.”