Single-minded success - Settlement Support

Production staff members usually work in small teams. Individuals
are rotated among different tasks to give them multiple
skills in production processes and the opportunity to get to
know their fellow workers.
Sheryl says the cultural mix has been positively received by
the ‘Kiwi’ staff and everyone has gained a lot from the experience.
Shared social activities are encouraged and all the
employees get together for regular staff meetings. “It is a
chance for everyone to have their say, make suggestions and
feel a part of a team environment,” says Sheryl. “We also have
a fun activity each meeting – anything from a Trivial Pursuit
game to folding paper planes.”
In its role as the Seed Division of Tui, the Palmerston North
branch imports seed in bulk from around the world to its Keith
Street warehouse. Large shipping containers of seeds arrive
weekly from far off locations including Australia, Canada and
China to be unloaded and stored, ready for use.
The contents of the 25 kilogram bags of canary, radish, rape,
sunflower and safflower seeds, along with millet, wheat and
www.immigration.govt.nz
We hope to continue
to employ migrant
workers,” she says.
“It is a valuable
experience for
everyone involved
Site Manager Sheryl Morris
barley, are blended into specific formulas for bird seed and
lawn seed that have been perfected during the company’s 100
year history.
Workers are involved in the various stages of production that
include loading seed into the bins that feed the packaging
systems below, manufacturing specialist product lines, operating
the bagging work stations and preparing the finished
products for dispatch.
Tui Products is a MAF Transitional Facility and requires suitably
qualified staff members to deal with shipping containers
from overseas. Migrant workers are among the staff who are
offered training to become accredited for such a task. Forklift
driver training is also encouraged.
“Ongoing training is one of the many ways we can help our
employees gain qualifications and experience that will help
them in their future in New Zealand,” says Sheryl.
“We hope to continue to employ migrant workers,” she says. “It
is a valuable experience for everyone involved.”
LINKZ | ISSUE 48 | 2011 23