By Jonathan Leask, Local Democracy reporter
It's known as the breadbasket of New Zealand, but Mid Canterbury is facing a worker burnout to complete this year's harvest.
Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury president David Clark says farmers and contractors have no choice but to work long hours. Photo: LDR
The issue is a worker shortage due to delays in skilled overseas workers getting into the country.
The government announced changes in December to the class exemption scheme and securing more visas for overseas workers, but the amendment was only actioned last Friday.
Ashburton mayor and farmer Neil Brown said there was likely to be a worker burnout to get this year's harvest completed.
"I'm reasonably certain the harvest will be done but what it's doing is the farm staff and contractors that are available are working harder and longer and they will burn out.
"[The harvest] is a farmer's income, so they will do everything they can to get it on time and beat the weather."
The disappointing factor for Brown is that the visa issue has been an ongoing discussion with the government for two years. "And it hasn't been remedied."
Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury president David Clark said there was not a lot farmers and contractors could do, other than get on with the job.
"Regardless of the political ineptitude we'll get through. We always do," Clark said.
"But we are all working long hours and if the weather turns against us in the harvest it's going to be a massive problem.
"Contractors are profoundly short of staff and there is massive pressure on everybody.
"Everyone is on farm now doing the essential work and everything else is not getting done."
Methven-based May Brothers Contracting managing director and harvesting manager Phil May said the delays in getting overseas workers will have a massive impact.
"We are having to train and upskill people but you can only do so much and that takes time."
Pre-Covid-19 he said they were usually getting in around 25 workers in a normal season.
This season they were around 10 staff short, meaning some long hours for the staff they did have.
"It's not ideal and frustrating as you feel for the staff you do have, but harvest doesn't stop for anyone."
Clark said with the government being aware of the issue, its continued mishandling was another slap in the face for primary industry.
"The agriculture minister [Damien O'Connor] needs to be the minister of primary industry and actually go into bat for us.
"If it wasn't for the primary sector in New Zealand this country would be hanging up the 'in receivership' sign."
The continued delays in the process means the much needed workers will not arrive until it is probably too late, if they come at all.
O'Connor told 1News the time between the announcement and amendment being actioned was the standard timeframe.
But Clark said it boiled down to "the ineptitude of this MIQ system and a philosophical view of this government that they don't want short term staff coming in from overseas".
"[The government] seem to think we will just magic up some locals to do this work."
The issue is it is seasonal work, providing jobs for three to five months, he said.
"You can't offer someone a fulltime permanent position. You need a big peak workforce."