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Tens of thousands of people come to #NewZealand to work in the kiwifruit industry. #kiwi #farming
Introduction
Every year, tens of thousands of individuals flock to New Zealand on visas to participate in the vibrant kiwifruit industry. For half the year, workers engage in the labour-intensive task of harvesting green kiwi fruit at various orchards, including a notable one located in Toi.
At this particular orchard, a dedicated team of 18 pickers comprises mainly individuals from the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. This industrious crew is capable of picking between 150 to 200 bins of kiwifruit daily. Samuel Cerin, one of the team members, explains that they are compensated per crate and subsequently share their earnings among themselves. As Samuel highlights, picking the fruit quickly is beneficial, as faster picking translates to increased earnings.
The optimal technique for harvesting, according to Samuel, involves twisting off the fruit while grabbing two or three at a time. The team meticulously works through an entire row of kiwi plants, carefully placing each piece of fruit into a pouch that can hold up to 55 lbs. Once full, the pickers deposit the contents into an awaiting tractor bin.
These tractor bins are then transported to a collection site located outside of the orchard. Soon after, trucks ferry the bins to packing facilities to ensure that the kiwifruits are processed swiftly, preventing them from ripening too soon. This efficient workflow is essential to maintaining the quality and freshness of New Zealand’s prized kiwifruit.
Keyword
- New Zealand
- kiwifruit
- visas
- harvesting
- orchard
- pickers
- Vanuatu
- earnings
- technique
- tractor bins
- packing facilities
FAQ
Q: How many people come to New Zealand to work in the kiwifruit industry?
A: Tens of thousands of individuals travel to New Zealand on visas to work in the kiwifruit sector each year.
Q: Where do most of the pickers come from?
A: A significant number of pickers in New Zealand's kiwifruit industry come from the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu.
Q: How are the pickers compensated for their work?
A: The pickers are paid per crate and divide their earnings among their team members.
Q: What is the best technique for picking kiwifruit?
A: Pickers find that twisting off the fruit and grabbing two or three at a time is the most effective technique.
Q: How is the fruit transported after being harvested?
A: Full tractor bins transport the harvested kiwifruit to collection sites, and then trucks move them to packing facilities to prevent ripening.