Members of the EastPack rugby and volleyball teams after they claimed the titles in the two sports at the sports day. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Iliesa Tora
Recognised seasonal employers (RSE) workers in Bay of Plenty want an annual sports day as part of their calendar, following the success of the first one last week.
Over 300 workers converged at the Blake Park in Mount Maunganui to participate in the first-ever sports festival, jointly organised by the Bay of Plenty Rugby and the New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated.
While the competition on the fields were not missing any beat, friendship off them were the highlights of the day.
The thumbs up were unanimous and the workers, who were the focus of the day, said they would support an annual event.
Fijian worker Ratu Peceli Lacanivalu from Naitasiri, and works for EastPack, said the day helped them forget about the pressure of missing their families back home.
"Well, we enjoyed it very much and we thank the Bay of Plenty Rugby for this opportunity to have us come and enjoy ourselves," he said after leading his EastPack sevens rugby team to winning the title.
"It's been long staying here in New Zealand, missing our families back home. Most of the boys and our sisters come from the villages in Fiji and some from the islands.
Members of the EastPack sevens rugby team after they claimed the main title at the sports day. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Iliesa Tora
"Working here is very new and we really appreciate and enjoy the weather and atmosphere here at Mount Maunganui.
"Something that was enjoyable was able to meet our brothers and sisters who work for other companies, some of them we are related. And we don't know that we are working here in the same area but gettng this day we were able to meet up.
"This is something that we hope will be done annually so that everyone can come together."
Ni-Vanuatuan Colin Shem, who works for Bay Kiwifruit, agrees it is a day where workers have been able to have fun with fellow countrymen and women.
He said the day gave them the chance to meet other relatives they did not know were also working in Bay of Plenty.
"That was the nicest day ever because most of the time when we came here, we do not know where our friends are," he said.
Ni-Vanuatuan Colin Shem, who works for Bay Kiwifruit, at the sports day. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Iliesa Tora
"We have been busy working and this gave us the opportunity to meet our friends and families. Thanks to the committee for giving us the sports day like today."
Fellow countryman Trevor Arunabat from Malekula has been working in the RSE for seven years but has never come across any sports day held for the workers.
"I am really happy to have been here today," he said.
"In the past years there was no sports day for RSE workers, and this is the first time."
Bay of Plenty Rugby board chairman Scott Khale says they were excited to be working with the RSE stakeholders on a program aimed to honour the workers' achievements.
He said their partnership with kiwifruit growers and producers also now involves ensuring workers can enjoy time off like the sports day.
"We got a great partnership with a lot of packhouses and this is recognising the RSE workers in the area and giving them the opportunity to come and enjoy the day playing sports like rugby, volleyball and football," he said.
He said RSE workers were important for the industry in New Zealand and their contribution has been immense.
"It is really important, and we saw some government policies now been put in place and we won't have the success of harvest without the workers," he said.
"This is well supported by the pack houses and industry stakeholders."
Some workers enjoying the sports day. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Iliesa Tora
Ezra Schuster, the Regional Public Service Commissioner (RPSC) for Waiariki Bay of Plenty, says having the sports day was a celebration.
He emphasised the importance of the work done by the RSE workers and the need for them to celebrate those achievements.
"They are a critical workforce and they drive the economy and particularly in the region of horticulture and an important part of our community," Schuster said.
"The economic well-being these workers make back home in their countries is significant.
"Today is significant. Our Pacific people we love to laugh, we love our sports. Today is a celebration of our harvest, as Pacific peoples.
"This is a celebration."
Guests at the official opening of the sports day with trophies that were up for grab. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Iliesa Tora
Meanwhile, EastPack dominated the on the field competition, claiming both the men's sevens rugby and mixed volleyball titles. The company had a lot of Fijian workers playing for both their teams.
WESKCO, with ni-Vanuatu players dominating the composition of teams, claimed the men's football title.