I have been a bit lazy to open up this blog and update.
I have to admit that I migh have fall into the tricks that other people might also fall into when come to NZ for working holiday, whether we came here for a holiday or for working. Most of us we cannot really have the opportuniy of working our profession due to the visa restriction. This make me feels really lucky to get the Quality Control job in the cherry packhouse when I first come in.
After that I come back to north island to try catch the opportunity to work for the QC for kiwi fruit main season. It was out of my expectations though, I have tried walk in to the kiwi fruit pack house and trying to ge the job but the QC job so call needed a PR status and also two yrs of working experience.
Suddenly, my educational background and working experience all become invisible and I have to fight to get a space like others. Fair and not fair, there are of course some other people I met here have a higher qualification than me and also doing similar job. We are all become the "cheap labour" getting the minimum wages.
I never thought kiwi fruits were actually native from China. The green kiwi fruit was from China if you check from the Wikipedia. Then there are some research in NZ to produce golden kiwi fruit which is sweeter, I would need more time to dig the information about the gold kiwi though, whether it is a native plant or how is it being transform. I do hope it is not another story like the corn.
I came to Te Puke in Feb by public transport, and it was the landlady who brought us to all the packhouse to fill up the application forms. I cannot remember them all now, but only the three bigger ones:
East Pack- they will have a short interview with you after you filled up the form and that time they do offer me job s a packer s they tell that the QC lead was not around and no one can interview me for the job I requested.
Trevalyan- I was shocked by the Asian-look receptionist as T is famous with it's family/ heaven like pack house, the receptionist took my file and voice herself very loud to question why do I request for QC position.
"QC is only for those who have a PR status". Only God knows if you did not indicate that in the form.
Seeka- Debbie was the one accept my application form, she was shocked as well when saw me tick for QC, but at least she ask for clarification and help us to add on some remarks and ended with a smile saying that she have put on notes that we are all nice girls, and ensure tht we will get the job offer.
As mentioned in the previous blog, I enter Seeka earlier for the kiwi berries night shift, and I ended up working for the whole main season for the night shift. I cannot totally deny the fact that it is because it pays more and also the longest working hours. More than that was due to the people that I met from the kiwi berries were friendly enough.
There are some loss and gain also. I ended up alone working a night shift among my housemates- one out of 17 peoples, so I am not managed to join them if they go for any night time activities. Even during the off days, we have 12 hours time zone different, and I often use the day time sleeping.
The gain. I was the only one when everyone else at work, I can take my sweet time to cook and eat. There is no one making any noise while sleeping except for the vehicles outside the house.
It was really tired and not good for health though working at the time when people should be sleeping.
Another part of the story, I met a lot other Malaysian that apply for RSE visa and come back to work for kiwi fruit each year. Some of them were ex WHV too. Fall in love with NZ and come back every year. Some of them come to save money for living.
I thought I might be falling into the cycle initially, but soon enough I think I shall make it be an open plan- to see the world beyond NZ. Without realizing the time is flying, my working holiday visa have been extended. I have only 3 months left here and soon I will have to go back Malaysia, to eat all I can.
I have to admit that I migh have fall into the tricks that other people might also fall into when come to NZ for working holiday, whether we came here for a holiday or for working. Most of us we cannot really have the opportuniy of working our profession due to the visa restriction. This make me feels really lucky to get the Quality Control job in the cherry packhouse when I first come in.
After that I come back to north island to try catch the opportunity to work for the QC for kiwi fruit main season. It was out of my expectations though, I have tried walk in to the kiwi fruit pack house and trying to ge the job but the QC job so call needed a PR status and also two yrs of working experience.
Suddenly, my educational background and working experience all become invisible and I have to fight to get a space like others. Fair and not fair, there are of course some other people I met here have a higher qualification than me and also doing similar job. We are all become the "cheap labour" getting the minimum wages.
I never thought kiwi fruits were actually native from China. The green kiwi fruit was from China if you check from the Wikipedia. Then there are some research in NZ to produce golden kiwi fruit which is sweeter, I would need more time to dig the information about the gold kiwi though, whether it is a native plant or how is it being transform. I do hope it is not another story like the corn.
I came to Te Puke in Feb by public transport, and it was the landlady who brought us to all the packhouse to fill up the application forms. I cannot remember them all now, but only the three bigger ones:
East Pack- they will have a short interview with you after you filled up the form and that time they do offer me job s a packer s they tell that the QC lead was not around and no one can interview me for the job I requested.
Trevalyan- I was shocked by the Asian-look receptionist as T is famous with it's family/ heaven like pack house, the receptionist took my file and voice herself very loud to question why do I request for QC position.
"QC is only for those who have a PR status". Only God knows if you did not indicate that in the form.
Seeka- Debbie was the one accept my application form, she was shocked as well when saw me tick for QC, but at least she ask for clarification and help us to add on some remarks and ended with a smile saying that she have put on notes that we are all nice girls, and ensure tht we will get the job offer.
As mentioned in the previous blog, I enter Seeka earlier for the kiwi berries night shift, and I ended up working for the whole main season for the night shift. I cannot totally deny the fact that it is because it pays more and also the longest working hours. More than that was due to the people that I met from the kiwi berries were friendly enough.
There are some loss and gain also. I ended up alone working a night shift among my housemates- one out of 17 peoples, so I am not managed to join them if they go for any night time activities. Even during the off days, we have 12 hours time zone different, and I often use the day time sleeping.
The gain. I was the only one when everyone else at work, I can take my sweet time to cook and eat. There is no one making any noise while sleeping except for the vehicles outside the house.
It was really tired and not good for health though working at the time when people should be sleeping.
Another part of the story, I met a lot other Malaysian that apply for RSE visa and come back to work for kiwi fruit each year. Some of them were ex WHV too. Fall in love with NZ and come back every year. Some of them come to save money for living.
I thought I might be falling into the cycle initially, but soon enough I think I shall make it be an open plan- to see the world beyond NZ. Without realizing the time is flying, my working holiday visa have been extended. I have only 3 months left here and soon I will have to go back Malaysia, to eat all I can.
My life for more than 2 months looking the fruis rolling in front of me,
while what is different is everyday the brain will be working hard if not will fall asleep.
Some of my lovely housemates,
I missed all the fun and celebrations in the house
Kiwi 360 degree has now moved,
this kiwi trademarks has become Seeka's.
My cute line manager Naomi,
we are both born in the year of goat.
USM senior, Yong Yang, HY's friend,
finally met him at Te Puke.
Thanks for always share me foods. XD
Breakfast with some of the work colleagues for everyone farewell.
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