Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has actively lobbied for a larger quota in New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Labour Mobility Scheme.

During a meeting with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Hon. Christopher Luxon on the margins of the 53rd Pacific Islands Leaders’ Forum, held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, in Tonga, Prime Minister Marape requested an increase in the number of Papua New Guineans allowed to work in New Zealand under the RSE scheme.

The meeting commenced with an update on the post-COVID-19 economic status of both countries and their planned resource development projects.

Both leaders also agreed on the importance of minimising environmental impacts when discussing and negotiating new resource development projects.

Prime Minister Marape specifically urged Prime Minister Luxon to increase the employment rate of Papua New Guineans under the RSE. He assured Prime Minister Luxon that the Papua New Guinea government is working on providing coaching and orientation for workers heading to either Australia or New Zealand to ensure their smooth integration into society and the workplace.

Prime Minister Luxon responded by informing Prime Minister Marape that his government is indeed working on increasing the number of workers under the RSE. He also assured that Papua New Guineans employed under New Zealand’s labour mobility programme have been found to be reliable and good workers.