When Dutch woman Marika Gerhards travelled to New Zealand and
began a new life just over two years ago, she could not have
predicted one day she would be employing migrant workers.
A group which advocates for the welfare of families and
communities in rural areas is asking people to extend a
helping hand to migrant workers who have moved to their
neighbourhood.
Farmers' wives and partners are being called on to show more
compassion for migrant workers' wives and families on their
properties by taking the time to say hello.
Waimate District Council community services manager Carolyn
Johns says for the past 10 years the council has produced an
information pack for new residents, which is available from
the Waimate Information Centre.
A dairy farm owner and former employer of migrant workers
says workers from overseas should have a return ticket home
before being granted work visas in New Zealand.
An agricultural industry trainer is worried that any future
Immigration New Zealand decision to remove dairy farm workers
from the country's skills shortage list could strand dairy
farmers without sufficient staff.
