The Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in New Zealand closed off 2025 on a high note with programmes aimed at promoting unity, health and well-being, and to encourage workers while they are away from Samoa during this Christmas and festive season.
At the beginning of November, the New Zealand RSE Samoa Liaison Officer, Laufiso Tomasi Peni, in partnership with Samoa Stationery and Books (SSAB) hosted a Christmas Carol Online competition for Samoa seasonal workers.
Choirs from RSE teams across NZ recorded their Christmas songs and posted them online where friends and families could enjoy their singing and vote for their favourite team.
Seasonal work in New Zealand are typically 7-month contracts which means the current group are away from home during this special time of the year, said Laufiso.
“The Christmas carol online comp aimed to bring them close to their families and friends during the festive season while they’re away from home during the summer,” said Samoa’s Liaison Officer.
There were more than 12 RSE teams from across New Zealand lined up for that competition and on the 25th of December SSAB announced the winners for each category on a livestream feed.
There were two categories – one for choirs with 15 plus members and one for smaller groups of less than 15. The People’s Choice went to the team with most online votes.
Pick Hawkes Bay won the smaller group category of 15 below members while Teamworks Pick Hawkes Bay Ltd won the 15 members and above category.
The People’s Choice with 1,272 likes and 53,000 views of their song was also won by Pick Hawkes Bay.
In the Tasman region of the South Island, a Boxing Day volleyball competition supported by Pastor Jerry Polue and the Etena-Fou Worship Centre Church was held at the Motueka Recreation Centre.
New Year’s Eve at Taumeasina Island Resort
Church Ministers from across the region attended the tournament which sets the standards and atmosphere of the competition as a highly respected event, said Laufiso.
More than 20 teams participated at the The Etena-Fou Worship Center Boxing Day Volleyball Tournament 2025 with 12 of those teams being from our RSE workers working in the Tasman and Nelson region.
“It was a tough competition as there were teams from other regions like Marlborough that travelled to compete against other regular competitors including our RSE workers,” said Laufiso Tomasi Peni.
The RSE team from Cederman Bros Company had won the 2024 volleyball tournament and this year they were able to retain their title.
“RSE team from Cederman Bros defeated Uso Fiafia, the mighty brothers from Blenheim EFKS in a tough and nail biting final..”
Church Ministers from across the region attended the tournament which sets the standards and atmosphere of the competition as a highly respected event,” added Laufiso.
“It is good for our workers to take time out of their work, where they can come together, socialise and network with each other,” said Laufiso.
“I would like to thank the community churches that I work alongside with to ensure that we bring the happiness of the festive season to our workers..
“I also acknowledged Pastor Jerry Polue and Etena-Fou Church for hosting this competition, and also Pastor Aliana of Timaru Pacific Aoriki for sponsoring our Shield.”.
Lausifo said the next competition is during the Easter long weekend and that is also a highly anticipated event.
We send a special prayer for all our RSE workers across New Zealand and Australia who are away from home at this time of the year. May God continue to cover you all and keep you safe until you return home to your families.
New Year’s Lunch at Orator
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