A viticulture operator feels the system is rigged towards apples and kiwifruit. A Central Otago viticulture company is concerned handling of the country’s seasonal worker scheme will leave it high and dry by the time the pinot noir harvest and pruning season rolls around. While Covid-19 border closures mean the normal 14,000 or so seasonal workers won’t be able to enter the country, about 5000 workers were granted visa extensions and 2000 experienced workers are coming into New Zealand from the Pacific through the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme. Requirements for businesses seeking workers through the scheme originally include paying staff a living wage of $22.10 an hour, covering quarantine costs, and