Zespri is hosting a charity sports day and auction today to support projects in the home countries of New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme workers.
The event-filled, free-entry charity day – on today at Te Puke's Murray Salt Stadium – will support two charities to help Pacific communities in the islands.
Village to Village Charitable Trust and Tractors for Tonga will receive proceeds, acknowledging the Pacific as home to many of the NZ kiwifruit industry's RSE workers.
'RSE workers are such an important part of the kiwifruit industry,” says Zespri's head of global public affairs Michael Fox.
'Recently, they've faced challenges not only from the pandemic, but also events like the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption in Tonga
'It's great to be able to get alongside organisations like Tractors for Tonga and Village to Village Charitable Trust, who are on the ground providing hands-on, practical help for island communities.”
Local grower and Kiwifruit team member Scott St George says RSE workers are a critical part of the kiwifruit industry.
Reduced earnings
'RSE workers are a really important part of our industry. Travel restrictions due to Covid-19 have limited their ability to travel from the islands, which has reduced the earnings they can send back to their communities.
'This is a great way to stand by them and show how much we value their contribution to the kiwifruit industry.”
The day's events will feature under-18s girls' and under-18 boys' rugby games between Māori and Pasifika teams, plus kiwifruit industry netball and rugby teams playing against Parliamentary.
Pacific music, food and fun family events will also be on offer.
Today's fundraiser is the second of its kind that Zespri has hosted. 'Last year the rugby teams met for the first time to raise funds for the victims and families affected by the devastating events at Whakaari/White Island on December 9, 2019.
'A total of more than $50,000 was raised which is being invested in assistance of local agencies and support providers,” says Michael.
Friendly competition
The last fundraiser saw the kiwifruit team face a sour defeat against the Parliamentary Rugby team. To ensure this doesn't happen again, Zespri's kiwifruit rugby team has recruited some stellar players including ex-All Blacks Tanerau Latimer and Mike Delaney.
'After last year's victory for the Parliament team we expect the kiwifruit industry to pull its socks up a bit but we're ready for them again this year and are really happy to support a good cause,” says Parliamentary team co-captain Mark Mitchell.
The fundraiser is at Murray Salt Stadium, Te Puke Sports Club, with the curtain-raiser at 1.30pm.
Wrapping up the day, there will be a charity auction with an awesome array of items from hunting and fishing trips, brewery tours, weekend getaways and more. All are welcome to this free entry event and donations can be made throughout the day to support the RSE worker communities.
To see auction items, visit: https://events.zespri.com/zespri-annual-rugby-charity-auction/auction-items