New Zealand's viticulture industry says it regards the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme as a success despite issues with Kiribati workers in Marlborough.
Most of a group of 70 i-Kiribati left the Marlborough wine-growing contractor they were working for in June after concerns emerged with the quality of their accommodation.
Several other local contractors then stepped in to give the i-Kiribati more work in the industry.
But the work has now dried up, and most of the workers are going home unpaid and unhappy with their experience in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Winegrowers Manager of Policy, John Barker, says while the RSE is having a few teething problems, it's generally worked well having Pacific workers in their industry.
"The general comment is that the scheme has actually worked out extremely well. You know it's a new scheme, it's a big change, and obviously you're going to get a few teething problems like this. I don't think it's an issue particularly with people from Kiribati, because I know that there are people going out there to recruit more groups from Kiribati."
Meanwhile, ten of the i-Kiribati workers have reportedly absconded.
