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Back to the news list How Pacific workers help New Zealand businesses to
19 February 2019 - Media Release - Stuff NZ

Every year hundreds of seasonal workers from Vanuatu leave behind their families to work in the Hawke's Bay. They are the lifeblood of the region's horticulture and viticulture industries. Shelley Knowles from Unicef reports.

Sweat trickles down Michael Leo's 31-year-old forehead as he winds his way between the rows of Fuji apple trees in Bellingham Orchard, Hawke's Bay. His face and hands are darkened by the sun.

For the next two hours Michael girdles the trees. It's physically exhausting work. He crouches down on his knees and wraps a chainsaw blade around the trunk of an apple tree. Relying solely on his physical strength, Michael pulls the chain and cuts two opposing grooves in the bark. Two big cuts, ten inches apart.

"In Vanuatu we're used to doing hard jobs," says Michael. It's his third time in New Zealand under the seasonal worker scheme, and Michael is proud to share his knowledge.

When a tree has been girdled, the leaves can no longer transport sugar to the roots so the sugar is absorbed into the fruit instead. This produces bigger and better apples. Prize-winning apples.


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