Community Whanau considers support networks for seasonal workers

October 7th, 2010
By David Armstrong

The monthly Community Whanau meeting held yesterday was asked to examine their networks and contacts to see if some work needs to be done to provide mental health support for itinerant New Zealand seasonal workers coming into Motueka for the coming orchard season who may be falling through the cracks.

Hilary Genet, mental health promoter for the Public Health Service of the Nelson Marlborough Health Board, said she is talking with orchardists about how their itinerant workers (Kiwis, not Pacific Islanders who operate under different pastoral schemes) can access mental health services. She said the Motueka Mental Health Network members have identified an issue with these workers having "fallen over" and struggling with mental health issues. The Police often deal with seasonal workers in crisis or trouble.

Hilary Genet is seeking any agencies' or individual's information on problems encountered by workers that would help clarify this issue - whether or not it is a real issue, and if so, its size and significance. Hilary is also be keen to bring together a working group to develop a plan of action, such as a directory of services that could be made available or a room or place where workers could go for help.

The orchard season will start with the kiwifruit on 1st November. "There is limited seasonal work this year with orchards experiencing financial constraints," Hilary said. "WINZ act as a broker as will David from Cyberworld, who is to be employed for the season only by the orchardists."

She said last year WINZ were aware of between 5 and 10 people who needed help and advocacy. The NMDHB mobile community team were called to support at least two people. The feeling is that there are workers who fall through the gaps and possibly go on to live in their cars and vans under rural bridges either in Tasman or elsewhere.

Another announcement of new community services in Motueka came from Kate Markham, previously a youth worker at Get Safe and now performing a similar role at ATET in Riwaka. She is providing one-on-one mentoring services now for young people on referral, in so doing tailoring courses to suit those individuals. "It's not a matter of, 'what courses do you offer these people'," Kate said. "We can now create courses specifically for these individuals."

She is also working with some young people on a community mural, which has been designed and will be painted at ATET. So far there has been no decision on where in town it will be located. Kate will also be working with some youths in the 18 to 14 age bracket who are wanting to move into youth leadership roles, with the aim that they may become summer-time Youth Ambassadors and ultimately being employed in youth work.

The meeting heard of how facilities at Whenua Iti in Lower Moutere are being offered as a venue for team-building courses and by people planning such events as novel birthday parties. Ron Sharp reported that the Community House committee had approved the upgrading of its computer system, which may soon have the potential to network wirelessly throughout the building.

Matt Beech said the St Thomas Parish is developing plans for an Over-60s service which will probably link in with other community groups.

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