New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme has expanded to include Timor-Leste, marking a significant shift in the 20-year-old labor program. According to Immigration New Zealand, the addition of the southeast Asian nation aims to alleviate pressure on traditional Pacific partners while providing vital economic opportunities for Timorese workers, who can earn up to NZ$40,000 during a seven-month contract.
Expanding the RSE Scheme to Timor-Leste
The RSE scheme, which currently supports more than 20,000 workers from 10 countries, officially welcomed Timor-Leste this year. Immigration New Zealand Pacific national manager Loua Ward stated that the expansion was a strategic decision to “spread the load.” While countries like the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea seek to increase their worker numbers, others prefer to limit departures to mitigate “brain drain” and protect local economic stability.
The demand for these positions is high. In a country where the real unemployment and underemployment rate nears 30 percent, more than 20,000 people applied for the opportunity to work in New Zealand orchards and vineyards. The financial impact is substantial; in 2025, Timorese workers abroad sent home approximately US$180 million, according to reports.
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While the initial pilot in February involved only 10 workers in Motueka, the program has scaled rapidly. A group of 20 workers arrived in Blenheim in May, with an additional 30 expected to join the workforce by October.
Operational Impact on New Zealand Horticulture
Fairfield Orchard in Motueka became the first employer to trial the Timorese workforce. Orchard director Cherie Drummond reported that the workers have been highly productive, noting that none of the initial group of 10 employees took a single day off after arriving. According to Drummond, the company maintains a “New Zealand-first” hiring policy, but the RSE scheme provides a necessary guarantee of labor that has allowed the business to grow from 12 permanent staff two decades ago to 40 today.
The work involves detailed tasks in pip-fruit and kiwifruit production. While the workers have successfully integrated with existing teams from Tonga and Tuvalu, the biggest hurdle remains the climate. Marcos Dias, a spokesperson for the Timorese group in Motueka, noted that while the 8-11C temperatures require adjustment, the opportunity to gain skills and send money home is transformative for their families.
Economic Consequences for Timorese Families
Families have reported using the earnings to pay for private school and university fees, purchase motorbikes, and invest in technology like Starlink to facilitate remote work. For individuals like Pedro, a 25-year-old worker, the goal is to leverage the capital and knowledge gained in New Zealand to launch a construction company upon returning home.
Pro Tip: Understanding the Triple Win
The RSE program is often described as a “triple win” by officials: New Zealand employers secure reliable labor, workers gain life-changing financial stability, and the home country benefits from the inflow of foreign capital and the return of skilled, experienced workers who act as goodwill ambassadors.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible for the RSE scheme? The scheme is open to workers from participating Pacific and southeast Asian nations, with specific quotas managed by Immigration New Zealand.
- How does the RSE scheme affect local hiring? According to orchard director Cherie Drummond, companies are required to list positions for New Zealanders first, and the scheme is used only when those roles remain unfilled.
- What is the long-term goal for the Timorese workers? Many participants aim to use their earnings and newly acquired horticultural or technical skills to invest in local agriculture and business development in Timor-Leste.
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