A hoki fish. Photo: jackf/123RF
More than 100 factory workers from Vietnam are arriving in New Zealand to work for Sealord during the upcoming hoki season.
They will join around 80 people from Samoa, who started work at the wetfish factory earlier this year.
Sealord chief executive Doug Paulin said the government's new seafood sector agreement provided visa allocations for much-needed process workers in the fishing industry.
He said given the tough economic conditions, it was a relief to have the factory fully staffed.
Last year, the Nelson-based fishing company was short of 200 staff during the hoki season and the labour shortage cost the company $7 million.
Thai Danh, 32, arrived from Vietnam last weekend and said he was excited to be working in the same part of the world as his sister, who works at a Richmond nail salon.
"It's very wonderful to be here, to be working fulltime in the wetfish factory.
"The money and working conditions are better than in Vietnam. I like my team, everyone is very friendly and supportive."
Sealord's general manager of human resources Dawn Cooper said while they aimed to employ New Zealanders to fill the roles, it had been a continuous struggle to find enough people.
The workers on the scheme will leave Sealord to return home to Vietnam and Samoa in December.
Cooper said they would like to see the visa allocations for process workers extended beyond the deadline of next October.
"It would be fantastic to have the same workers back if they enjoy the work and want to return.
"The government will review the sector's needs at the end of the agreement, and either update, extend or end it."
