Horticulture New Zealand says the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme continues to benefit fruit and vegetable growers, but there's always room for improvement.
Introduced in 2007, the scheme helps overcome a shortage of labour by allowing the hiring of a maximum of 8000 workers from Pacific Island countries.
The 113 employers using the scheme employed 7090 men and women in the year ending 30 June.
Horticulture NZ has just started work on what the labour requirements will be for later in the year.
Chief executive Peter Silcock says the scheme has progressed to the stage where many workers want to come back to New Zealand year after year.
