Newspaper Article 2009 – Helping hand gets Samoan pickers to Bay

Helping hand gets Samoan pickers to Bay

Kate Newton
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A group of Samoan pickers, who thought they wouldn’t make it to New Zealand, have arrived in Hawke’s Bay with new clothes, boots and equipment.

The group of 45 arrived on Thursday night, and started their picking season with a barbecue to thank those who had made sure their trip went ahead.

From the village of Poutasi on the south coast of Samoa, many of them lost family members in the September 29 tsunami.

Their village’s new hospital was flattened by the earthquake-driven waves. Records, passports and recruitment arrangements for yesterday’s arrival were lost.

They had already qualified for entry to Hawke’s Bay as members of the Department of Labour’s recognised seasonal employment scheme, which bolsters the number of workers in the region’s orchards and vineyards.

Thanks to a $17,000 worth of aid from the Community Foundation Hawke’s Bay, their visit has been able to go ahead.

Foundation Chairman Peter Dunkerley said the work they would do would contribute to Hawke’s Bay’s seasonal economy.

“So this appeal has been a win for the province, as well as timely assistance for the tsunami victims who have homes to rebuild,” Mr Dunkerley said.

Poutasi was visited by Prime Minister John Key after the disaster and he was bestowed the chiefly title of Matai because of his support for the area.

Photo caption – COUNTING BLESSINGS: Samoan pickers are grateful to those who helped them get to New Zealand.   PICTURE /SUPPLIED