Apart from working in the orchards during summer this year, Samoans working under the seasonal work scheme in New Zealand are making their mark in recreational activities after work. 

Only a limited number of workers are allowed to play rugby due to its physicality, which may cause injuries while working in the RSE scheme, so Samoa Liaison Officer, Laufiso Tomasi Peni, has been encouraging volleyball.

"There are few workers playing rugby, and these are players who used to play in provincial teams here in Samoa, and they know how to play smart, but if they have not played before, I would not support them," he said. 

"Volleyball, on the other sid,e is a popular one. This year, several teams from Samoa RSE took top tiers of the tournaments in their respective regions, with a few that came through as winners in these regional championships.

"The Windermere team has recently claimed first and second place in Division 1 Volleyball Championship in Whanganui. It is an overwhelming feeling to receive such good news from a tournament's counterpart and in their regional newspaper. At the beginning of April this year, the Easter Tournament was held in Motueka, and the Birdhurst RSE team claimed the 2025 champion Nelson Tasman title.

"In February 2025, just before the harvest season starts, KONO hosted a competition for all RSE teams from the Pacific who participated in a day tournament as an integration event for all RSE workers in Nelson and the Tasman Region with local teams."

Laufiso also confirmed that two Samoa RSE teams played for top spot in a recent final.

Apart from Windermere winning the championship volleyball tournament in Whanganui, Sunfruit RSE Samoa team claimed the victory in one of the recent Hastings championships, while Pick Hawkes Bay claimed the top spot in one of the tournaments that was also hosted in Hastings during the summer season, a few months ago. 

Samoa Liaison Officer, Tomasi Peni said that he is always around to support the workers, especially in the South Island.

"There is an Independence Tournament next Monday, hosted by the Samoa Community in Blenheim, led by EFKS Blenheim. The tournament is open to all teams in the South Island. RSE teams from the Marlborough region will also participate, and I will also attend to support the teams that will take part. 

"There is a lot of talent that our workers have and range from singing, sports, and even preaching. I encourage them to continue as they usually do in Samoa, but only when they are available from work, as that is their priority. These programmes are to keep them on their feet and not to miss home for the seven months of the season."