Seasonal Bay of Plenty workers from Vanuatu are facing some difficult decisions following the devastating effects of Cyclone Pam in their native country.

Ahead of the hectic main season in the Kiwifruit sector, a level of uncertainty surrounds how many Vanuatu locals will stay in the region and how many will return home to help rebuild their communities.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc president Neil Trebilco.

Category five Cyclone Pam tore through the island over the weekend, killing 24 people and demolishing houses and other infrastructure.

Bringing winds of more than 300kmh, the cyclone smashed boats and washed away roads and bridges as it struck late on Friday and into Saturday morning.

Aid workers have since described the situation as catastrophic.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc president Neil Trebilco says it is unknown whether hundreds of Vanuatu seasonal kiwifruit workers who were set to arrive in the Bay this week will go ahead with their plans.

Many of the workers come every year as part of the government's Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Work Policy and cover night shifts during the kiwifruit picking and packing season.

'What decision they might make, we don't know at this point,” admits Neil.

'Even the Vanuatauns that are here now are still deiciding what to do, whether they go home and help or whether they stay here to make some money to help rebuild.

'It's a difficult situation to be in.”

It is understood more than 200 are scheduled to begin arriving tomorrow to start work at the Te Puke EastPack packhouse.

Neil says there is still a severe lack of communication with people back in Vanuatu, particularly on the outer islands, which were heavily affected.

'Until there is more communication with Vanuatu,” he adds, 'and those in New Zealand are able to make some decisions, there isn't a lot we can do.

'I would just encourage everybody - if they can - to make donations to the crisis in Vanuatu.”

Turning his attention back to New Zealand, Neil says growers were grateful the weather was better than predicted, and he's yet to hear of any considerable damage following cyclone's journey along the East Coast.

'I'm not hearing of any damage,” confirms Neil. 'Hopefully I will hear back from Gisborne later today.

'I spoke to Opotiki and Whakatane yesterday and I gather they didn't have any major damage at all of any description. They had escaped pretty much unscathed apart form a bit of rain.”

EastPack could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts by SunLive.