The New Zealand opposition immigration spokesman recently apologised for comments he made about Asian and Pacific seasonal workers who immigrate to New Zealand. According to the New Zealand Herald, the National Party’s Lockwood Smith campaigned for the upcoming election at which he spoke about expanding New Zealand’s seasonal workers scheme to include workers from Asia. The scheme enables horticultural and viticulture employers to recruit up to 5,000 overseas workers each year to meet labour shortages.

The newspaper claims that Dr Smith stated that Asian workers are more productive in pruning because their hands are smaller. He also said that employers should not be paying to train workers and teach them how to use the toilet or shower. Apology accepted?

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