Enhanced Taskforce Green

Local councils may engage with Work and Income to make appropriate arrangements for Enhanced Taskforce Green (ETFG) workers and supervisors to assist with clean-up projects.

These workers will be job seekers who could be receiving a benefit, or they could be students, or workers displaced from their jobs because of the emergency event – such as farm or factory workers.

Cyclone Gabrielle and North Island flooding

Enhanced Taskforce Green has been made available in:

• Auckland
• Northland
• Waikato
• Hawke's Bay
• Tairāwhiti
• Wairarapa.

Farmers, growers and communities can register for help with clean-up by calling 0800 787 254

Job seekers available to help with the clean-up can register by emailing Partnerships_and_Programmes@workandincome.govt.nz or by calling 0800 559 009

What costs will be covered by ETFG

ETFG assistance may cover the costs of:

• wages for workers
• wages for supervisors
• the purchase of personal safety gear
• the hire of light equipment (not including heavy machinery hire) and transport, eg:
  • chainsaws
  • vans
  • four-wheel-drive vehicles
• a start-up grant for local authorities to assist with administration costs.

Work and Income's role in ETFG

Work and Income is responsible for the following:

• liaising with affected councils and the Ministry for Primary Industries
• ensuring the ETFG funding proposal fits with the work programme
• processing applications
• identifying suitable workers
• providing identified workers with financial assistance (including Working for Families Assistance information)
• monitoring and tracking expenditure.

A council's role within ETFG

A council needs to complete the required application forms, submit them to Work and Income and then:

• organise Site Safe Certificate training for each ETFG worker
• paying ETFG workers and supervisors
• purchase and/or hire safety gear and equipment, including:
  • boots
  • gloves
  • overalls
  • hi-visibility vests
  • helmets
  • earmuffs
  • protective eye wear
  • chaps
  • wet weather gear
• oversee the day-to-day management of the work programme.

Relevant programme costs will be covered by an upfront lump sum payment by way of a contract with the MInistry of Social Development.

ETFG workers

Each ETFG work crew will be accompanied by a supervisor. Crews will assist with clean-up activities, eg:

• fence clearance and repair
• tree and debris removal on:
  • farms
  • marae
  • orchards
  • parks
  • reserves.

ETFG crew workers are paid the adult minimum hourly wage for a 40 hour week. ETFG supervisors are paid at a higher hourly rate.

Employment disputes

Anyone who expresses concerns regarding the conduct of ETFG workers should be directed to their relevant council for resolution as the council is the employer.