There is growing uncertainty surrounding the scheme which provides vital labour to the wine industry.
With the ongoing tightened border controls, wine industry contractors are concerned they may not have enough overseas workers.
The Recognised Seasonal Worker (RSE) scheme allows workers from the Pacific to come to New Zealand and work in the viticulture and horticulture industry.
In Marlborough, close to 75 percent of all pruning and development work in the wine industry is undertaken by RSE workers.
As many RSE workers are now unable to get into the country, those who are currently in New Zealand for summer are now staying on to fill the labour shortages. However, this is not a long term solution and the industry is seeking clarity on repatriation to the Pacific Island countries.
There is uncertainty within the industry as to how they will fill the workforce moving forward, should the workers go home, explains Vinepower chief executive Gus Struthers.
“At the moment, it’s a one-way flow, they [RSE workers] can get home, but given the circumstances, they can’t get back,” he said.
