One of the real privileges of being an MP is the many events you get to attend and hear of developments and issues.
Last night I attended the launch of the National Horticulture/Viticulture Labour Governance Group 2010 Strategy. This is the second 5 year strategy produced by this group which is a partnership of industry representatives, unions through the Council of Trade Unions, and Government. This is an industry that has had its fair share of labour problems – labour shortages, illegal labour and very poor wages and conditions. The collaborative work alongside of other initiatives like the recognised seasonal employer (RSE) scheme have been attempts to deal with these problems. What we heard last night that there have been many improvements since 2005. In my opinion these collaborative and industry wide approaches are essential to lift our performance as a country. So a bouquet to the Horticulture and Viticulture Industries.
The second bouquet goes to Geoff Lewis and the growers of the Horowhenua. Geoff is the Chair of the National Horticulture and Viticulture Labour Governance Group. Last night we saw a recorded message from Geoff who was in Samoa. He was in Samoa helping to restore a village destroyed in the tsunami. Geoff along with other growers in Horowhenua have donated time, materials and money to do this work because they want to assist the families of the RSE workers who have been working for them. What a great spin off from this scheme. Congratulations to all concerned.
Great that you got to see so many good things