6. Question No. 6—AgricultureHon DAVID BENNETT (National) to the Minister of AgricultureQuestion No. 6—Agriculture6. Hon DAVID BENNETT (National) to the Minister of Agriculture: Does he stand by his statement from 23 February 2021 The shortages projected pretty much every season by horticulture and viticulture have never fully been realised … Some employers never have trouble getting staff; others always seem to have challenges"; if so does he believe labour shortages in the horticulture sector are an employer issue?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): I stand by my full statement that "I have faith in the innovation of the horticulture and viticulture sectors and in fact all the sectors across the primary area. The shortages projected pretty much every season by horticulture and viticulture have never fully been realised. Yes it's challenging for some. Some employers never have trouble getting staff; others always seem to have challenges. Yes there is a shortage now but as has been said by people in the paper today out of Martinborough we're just going to have to work together to get through this challenge to make sure that we don't waste the opportunities."Hon David Bennett: Does he believe that there needs to be additional Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme (RSE) workers in addition to the 2000 that were announced late last year to meet that shortage?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: I'm very pleased that the member has acknowledged that we have brought into the country—at a time of COVID crisis when thousands of New Zealanders want to return home we've made provision for 2000 RSE workers to assist the industry. We've always indicated that if there was capacity in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) then maybe the industry would have access to some of that. But at the moment the world is still facing a COVID crisis. We're still at threat of infection from people coming into this country. We are going to run a robust MIQ system to ensure that New Zealanders and New Zealand—and every one of us here—are protected from COVID.Hon David Bennett: Has he sought from the Minister of Immigration an increase in RSE workers since last year's announcement to meet that shortage?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: On a regular basis I've had discussions with the Minister of Immigration and ensured that we have flexibility across the work permits in this country the visitor permits in this country so that those people who are in this country on temporary permits can roll them over and can move around the country to take up any job opportunities. The horticulture industry at the moment is under some pressure but so too are other industries that have relied on migrant labour. We're trying to be fair to all industries. The Minister of Immigration has indicated quite clearly that at this stage there is no capacity to bring in any more RSE workers.Hon David Bennett: So when the Minister says there's no capacity to bring in overseas workers then RSE workers from Pacific Island States that are COVID-free—would he extend the quarantine-free status that has recently been announced for Niue to those workers in the case so that they don't need that quarantine privilege either?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: We're going to run a robust quarantine system in this country regardless of where people are coming from because the risks out there are still significant. The fact that we haven't been able to open up a bubble across the Tasman is because there's still uncertainty around the management of COVID in both our countries and we have to ensure—Hon Dr Nick Smith: Michael Baker says you're wrong.Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: —Mr Smith if you want to listen—that New Zealand and New Zealanders are protected from COVID first and foremost. The industries including horticulture that have the benefit of being able to continue to operate pretty much as normal in a COVID world—most of them appreciate that opportunity.Kieran McAnulty: Has he seen reports that orchards in Greytown have been working constructively with the Ministry of Social Development to the tune of 100 extra workers announced this week?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: There are many many initiatives across the country—and that's just one of them. We've provided as I said before a six-month extension for employer-assisted work visa holders. We've made changes to the working holiday visas to allow holders to extend their time in New Zealand. We've created a Seasonal Work Scheme—SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member will resume his seat—will resume his seat. It was a very simple question; the Minister could have just said "Yes."Hon David Bennett: Why won't he extend the privilege that he has given to Niue to other Pacific Island States that have RSE workers that are in demand in New Zealand?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: One of the—SPEAKER: Order! Order! I'm going to ask David Bennett to rephrase the question. The member has now gone right outside the area of ministerial responsibility.Hon David Bennett: Will the Minister advocate for other Pacific Island States other than Niue to have the same privilege that has been accredited to Niue for RSE workers to come from COVID-free Pacific Island States to New Zealand to work in our horticultural sector?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: We have opened up the border for 2000 RSE workers. One of the requirements of that scheme was to ensure that the countries themselves were prepared to take back the workers and not have them stuck in this country. There are already about 5500 RSE workers who would like to return home but can't. We have the privilege of utilising their labour through this season but we do not want to see people come from those countries and be stuck over here when they'd rather go home. That's part of the whole scheme.Hon David Bennett: Mr Speaker point of order. We had a number of clear questions to the Minister that were about whether he was advocating for other Pacific Island States; he didn't answer that at all. I request the Minister to re-answer that question.SPEAKER: No I think you got a clear indication of the attitude of the Minister to that request. I think most members of the House could understand.Hon David Bennett: Point of order. Is that a no from the Minister then?SPEAKER: No that wasn't a no at all if the member listened to him. Does the member have a further supplementary? No."