Seasonal workers are essential to support the kiwifruit industry's strong growth which is why it is welcoming the Government's announcement of an addition 1000 workers for 2017.

'This is great news both for the industry, which has been struggling to find enough workers to keep pace with growing volumes and for the people from the Pacific who can support their communities through working in New Zealand,” says New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc Chief Executive Nikki Johnson.

The 10,500 people now secured under the Recognised Seasonal Employer to work across the horticulture industry over its busiest harvest period next year complements the Kiwi workforce.

'The kiwifruit industry remains committed to employing New Zealanders as our primary workforce and RSE workers compliment this in periods of labour shortage.

'The industry is aiming to more than double kiwifruit sales to $4.5 billion by 2025 and we can only do this with enough skilled people.”

The kiwifruit industry employs around 18,000 people across the season and generated nearly $2 billion in sales last season.