Heigh ho, heigh ho, it’s off to make the iPhone we go

Apple manufacturer Foxconn has ramped up recruitment efforts, believed to be in preparation for the launch of the new iPhone later this year.

According to sources close to the manufacturer, hiring has resumed at the Chinese factory following a previous freeze in February.

At the time the freeze hit Apple stock hard, falling 2.4% in New York trading.

But with recruitment back on track on the plant in Zhengzhou, eastern China, what does this mean for Kiwis a million miles away in New Zealand?

Well, we presume a new iPhone. Simple as that.

It is alleged the new workers will assemble the new product, along with existing models in the Apple portfolio.

The factory, which currently employees between 250,000 and 300,000 workers, refused to comment on the reports, in a typical hush-hush fashion.

If the rumours are believed to be true, Apple will be hoping for a trouble-free production launch - following months of controversy at the factory.

The manufacturer previously admitted hiring teenagers as young as 14 to work in it's Chinese factory, raising fresh questions over labour rights in the country.

Productions of Apple’s iPhone 5 were also dented as thousands of workers went on strike over working a national holiday in October, leaving many 5 production lines “in a state of paralysis for the entire day”.

But if Apple want to challenge the Samsung Galaxy S4, available in New Zealand on April 27, getting the product right seems to be the easy thing, keeping Foxconn in check however, remains a different problem entirely.

When do you think the next iPhone will hit the market? Tell us your thoughts below