After some initial teething problems, the Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers Association says the first year of the recognised seasonal employers scheme turned out to be very successful.
The scheme came into operation in September last year. It is designed to overcome labour shortages in the horticultural and viticultural industries by allowing growers to hire workers from the Pacific Islands.
Executive officer Diane Vesty says the 26 employers in Hawke's Bay who joined the scheme employed nearly 1,800 people.
Ms Vesty says a recent review of the RSE scheme identified the need for a Pacific Island liaison person to be located in each horticultural region, to iron out any issues workers may have with their employers.
