An increase in 1,000 RSE workers for the 2016-17 season will help support the wine industry during its peak times said Jeffrey Clarke, General Manager, New Zealand Winegrowers. “There’s a huge demand for labour during vintage and pruning. Although the wine industry is focused at placing New Zealanders into work, there is often a shortfall and RSE workers ease some of that pressure. The access to labour through the RSE scheme over the last ten years has supported the wine industry and contributed to export growth.”

New Zealand wine exports are valued at $1.6 billion for the year to the end of October 2016. The industry is working towards a goal of $2 billion of exports in 2020.