For New Zealand farmers, hosting a trainee through the RENZ programme can be a worthwhile experience. You will get:   Extra assistance during your busy periods.   The opportunity to learn about another country and culture.   Knowledge of how the visitor's farming systems vary from your own.   Trainees will generally have at least one year's relevant practical work experience. They will generally be skilled, however, as with all new employees, will require thorough guidance and instruction as they adjust to the new environment. Trainees are aware they are part of the working team, and can expect to work hard with some long hours during the busiest periods. Most see their New Zealand experience as a wonderful opportunity to learn and will be thirsty for information - be prepared for questions! A requirement of the RENZ programme is for each trainee to have a sound understanding of English. As this is generally not the trainee's native language, hosts must show some patience in communication, and explain instructions slowly and carefully, especially in the first few weeks while the trainee adjusts to a new environment. Your trainee will have a valid New Zealand work permit, be of good health, be aged between 18 - 30, have a return air ticket and full medical insurance which covers manual labour. Trainees will open a New Zealand bank account and will be issued with an IRD number for PAYE tax purposes. Placement duration is generally between 3 to 12 months. The start date for a trainee aims to coincide with the start of the busiest season on the farm ie, calving on a dairy farm, or pre-harvest on a crop farm. Often it can be arranged for the trainee to finish their placement once the work load on the farm slows down. This way farming hosts only employ the trainee during the period of need, and are not committed to a full-time permanent employee which they may not be able to fully utilise during quieter times on the farm.

RENZ aims for every trainee to leave New Zealand with a very positive outlook on New Zealand farming systems, people, and our country. RENZ hosts have a very important role to play to help ensure this impression is made on trainees. The main host requirements are to provide a safe working environment, provide suitable accommodation, and pay a fair wage. Hosts should pay their trainees what they would pay a New Zealand employee, with similar skills and doing the same work, i.e. the market rate. Wages must be at least equal to or above the minimum adult New Zealand wage. Each RENZ host completes a host application form and a host agreement form, with hosting conditions outlined, prior to taking a trainee. RENZ receives much positive feedback from hosts about their trainees. The type of young people that are prepared to travel to the other side of the world to join the RENZ programme, tend to be very motivated and have great attitudes to life, and are generally very good people to have working for you. Having a foreign person as part of your working team can also add extra interest to your operation for your existing staff. The RENZ programme is designed to be a win/win situation for both trainees and hosts. Occasionally a placement will not work out for one of a range of reasons. RENZ provides full support to both trainee and host during the placement, and assistance in resolving any problems. If an unworkable situation exists, RENZ takes full responsibility to remove the trainee. RENZ is only satisfied if the placement is working well for both trainee and host. Hosting a RENZ trainee should be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience for both trainee and host. If you are interested in finding out more about hosting a trainee on your property, please contact Vicky Lucas, email: vicky@ruralexchange.co.nz

PO Box 182, Kaiapoi, New Zealand
vicky@ruralexchange.co.nz