Tipples, Rupert S.Rawlinson, Philppa2015-09-242014-052422-8869https://hdl.handle.net/10182/6694The RSE was introduced in 2007, as policy allowing the introduction of seasonal labour for horticulture and viticulture from the Pacific Islands. The success of RSE has led to calls from “the dairy and meat processing industry [who] have requested that the Department of Labour extend RSE policy to include their sectors” (R. Bedford & Hugo, 2012, p. vii; C. Bedford, 2013, p. 263). Based on this comment, and in recognition of recruitment and retention problems and use of migrant labour by the dairy industry, Associate Professor Rupert Tipples commissioned this research to investigate whether RSE could be used by the dairy industry as a solution to its current problems with labour supply. This research investigates the development of RSE and reviews the drivers for the development of the policy and changes to policy, and how growers have interpreted the policy and adapted to it. It then addresses the current methods of recruiting workers in the dairy industry and whether the RSE could in fact be applied to dairying.1-51enCopyright © The Authors. This information may be copied or reproduced electronically and distributed to others without restriction, provided the Faculty of Agribusiness & Commerce, Lincoln University is acknowledged as the source of information. Under no circumstances may a charge be made for this information without the express permission of the Faculty of Agribusiness & Commerce, Lincoln University, New Zealand.Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE)seasonal workerslabour supplydairy industryWorking PaperANZSRC::070106 Farm Management, Rural Management and AgribusinessANZSRC::150305 Human Resources Management