RSE conference has become an annual event since 2007 when RSE started.

From 1-3^rd Augst 2023, the Pacific Labour Supplying nations, RSE Employers, Horticulture NZ, other partners, and NZ government met in Christchurch for the 16^th RSE conference.

RSE continues to prove itself as an important economic activity both for the supplying nations and NZ in terms of economic returns. The numbers continue to increase meaning more workers can enter and work in NZ in the horticulture sector.

During the 2022 RSE conference in Wellington, NZ government announced an increased in the cap to 19,000. The 2023 RSE conference did not make any further increases in the cap.

The current statistics show Vanuatu as the leading supplying nation with over 6,000 RSE workers followed by Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji.

Obviously, these countries are expressing ‘brain-drain’ concerns as RSE is also attracting skilled workers from their labor markets.  

These countries are currently reviewing their numbers vis-à-vis their local labor markets. It remains to be seen what the outcome of their reviews will be.

Research results from university of Auckland show that there is potential for RSE to expand into Solomon Islands, PNG, and Fiji as they still have the numbers given their bigger populations.

The conference ended with an awards dinner where prominent NZ farming individuals were awarded. It was a great night of networking with the government and private sectors.

NZ Minister for Agriculture, Hon Damien O’Conner, and NZ Minister for Immigration, Hon Andrew Little were present for the event.