RSE scheme at 20: Timor-Leste workers find life-changing opportunities in New Zealand

New Zealand is marking two decades of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) program, an initiative that has significantly impacted the lives of Pacific Island workers while bolstering the country's horticultural industry. Launched 20 years ago, the RSE scheme was initially designed to bring seasonal laborers from the Pacific to assist with tasks such as picking and packing.

The program has since evolved, providing crucial support to New Zealand's horticulture and viticulture sectors, which face labor shortages during peak harvest times. For workers from participating Pacific nations, such as Timor-Leste, the RSE program offers a pathway to earning income that can transform their families' lives back home.

Marcos Dias, a worker from Timor-Leste, is one of many who have found life-changing opportunities through the RSE scheme. His family at home in Dili benefits directly from his work in New Zealand, highlighting the program's broader economic and social impact beyond the immediate labor needs.

The RSE program has become a cornerstone of seasonal labor in New Zealand's primary industries. It facilitates a mutually beneficial relationship, addressing labor demands in New Zealand while offering valuable employment and financial opportunities to workers from the Pacific Islands, fostering stronger regional ties.