Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni and Minister of Employment Willie Jackson launched the Work The Seasons website in Pukekohe.
The website is designed to make it easier for seasonal workers to find the job they need and for employers to find the right person.
Horticulture is growing rapidly and demand for workers is higher than the number of people available, said Mike Chapman, chief executive of Horticulture New Zealand.
We need more people, immediately, as well as in planning for the future. This is why we support any good initiative to get New Zealanders taking up the healthy lifestyle that a career in horticulture offers," said Chapman.
Managing director of A S Wilcox & Sons Kevin Wilcox said: "As an employer involved across the horticulture value chain, we applaud the introduction of tools such as this website.
"One of our values as a business is 'we grow people too' and attracting, training and retaining people at all levels is vital to both our business and the wider industry."
Jackson said that the Work the Seasons website helps address key employment issues for job seekers and employers.
"We need to address skills and labour shortages and make opportunities like these more visible so we can support the type of labour market booms we have had recently in the Hawke's Bay, and attract and retain New Zealanders," said Jackson.
"Anyone aged over 15 years and who is eligible to work in New Zealand (citizen, permanent resident or holder of a valid, current work visa) can register as a job seeker on the Working The Seasons website."
Work the Seasons is supported by 13,500 seasonal employers who can post jobs, manage the recruitment process and offer essential skills training.
The website has been live since February 1, and since then, the site has had 225 jobseekers register for work.
The Work The Seasons website is available at www.worktheseasons.co.nz
