NZKGI has appointed Gavin Stagg as a labour co-ordinator to implement initiatives to ensure the industry has the workers it requires for the 2019 season.
Stagg has been involved in the kiwifruit industry since 2012, working in operations management roles at Mount Pack and Cool and more recently Birchwood Packhouse in Tauranga, with a major focus on health and safety.
A former NZ Army chef and hospitality industry manager, Stagg has also worked as a recruitment consultant and employment officer and brings more than 20 years’ experience in managing and interacting with people from many countries and walks-of-life.
I’m excited by the initiatives already underway and the opportunities to build a collaborative response to the labour demands.” – Gavin Stagg
In his new role, he is responsible for managing seasonal recruitment initiatives in conjunction with growers, contractors and packhouses to ensure as much as possible is done to meet the sector’s worker requirements.
Stagg said he was looking forward to working with the kiwifruit industry’s partners to help the sector thrive in a period of rapid growth.
“NZKGI has a massive challenge to try to ensure we have sufficient workers to get all the fruit off the vines – for this season and all our future ones. I’m excited by the initiatives already underway and the opportunities to build a collaborative response to the labour demands.”
NZKGI’s Nikki Johnson said the appointment was a key part of the organisation’s labour recruitment strategy.
“With the harvest now poised to begin, Gavin will be working closely with the groups we’ve been reaching out to, to support our labour drive, and helping us process the many queries we’re now getting via social media about jobs in the industry.”
