Vanuatu and New Zealand Celebrate 5 Years of RSE Success

The Governments of Vanuatu and New Zealand hosted a small celebration in Port Vila last week to commemorate the 5th Anniversary of the Recognised Seasonal Employmer (RSE) scheme.

Since the commencement of the RSE in 2007, over 11,000 RSE job placements have been taken by local Ni Vanuatu workers, who have in turn brought back new skills and their savings.

During the ceremony attended by government officals and key stakeholders, New Zealand High Commissioner, Bill Dobbie, said, "I would like to offer my congratulations to the Vanuatu Government and the people of Vanuatu for the five years of RSE success, and wish Vanuatu's future RSE workers all the very best. On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, thank you for coming to work in our farms. We value you and look forward to working together to ensure the on-going success of the RSE in the years ahead".

The scheme has already netted more than VT 3 billion (over NZD$50 million) for Vanuatu's ecconomy and has continued significantly to rural communities of Vanuatu, including through investment in improved housing, solar panels for lighting, schooling, and small-scale commercial activities.