Northland businesses that rely heavily on overseas workers say they're "going to be in big trouble" if the Government doesn't open the borders to allow some seasonal workers in.
With summer fast approaching, many businesses – particularly those in the hospitality, horticulture and viticulture sectors – are concerned they'll face labour shortages as the borders remain closed due to Covid-19.
Restaurateur Rachael Goldfinch said she is "a little concerned" how she'll find kitchen and waiting staff without the usual supply of backpackers this summer.
Goldfinch – who used to own Wharepuke and is now the restaurant manager at Plough and Feather in Kerikeri – said backpackers have more experience than Kiwis, having worked in busy restaurants back home in Europe.
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They also work hard and are more reliable than locals, she said.
"We can employ local kids but they can't work all the time.
"They'll say they want a job, then say they can't work this day or that day, and it doesn't work for us because we're just too busy.
"The young people just want too much time off and the backpackers want to work hard-out while they're here. It's a concern for us moving into the summer period."
Goldfinch said she has a couple of university students lined up to work, although students often want to go on holiday with their parents.
"This year we will have to employ a lot of young people with no experience.
"The Government should let some [overseas workers] in to fill the gaps.
"If you look at Auckland, most of those people working in restaurants are from overseas."
Hone Heke lodge owners Victoria and Dave Howells usually have at least 65 backpackers staying at their Kerikeri lodge at this time of year.
They now have about 15 and those guests will soon be heading home as their visas expire.
Each year the Howells help backpackers find work at various orchards, cafés and restaurants around town.
"A lot of local businesses will be struggling without workers, especially for the kiwifruit picking season next March," Victoria said.
"It's quite concerning for a lot of businesses."
The region's horticulture industry, which takes advantage of the Recognised Seasonal Employer [RSE] scheme, is also worried.
The scheme allows men and women from the Pacific Islands to come here for several months each year to work in orchards, picking, packing and pruning.
Kainui Rd vineyard and orchard owner Alan Thompson said he usually has a team of 30 RSE workers from Vanuatu, along with 60 locals and some backpackers.
The RSE workers are "critical" for picking and harvesting, he said.
Though he still has 26 workers from the last harvest season, they will return home in the coming months.
"If we can't get them back in we're going to be in big trouble."
Thompson said it's hard to find locals for the long hours of physical work.
"It's not easy to bring unemployed Kiwis in, expect them to live in backpacker hostels and work the hours these guys do and produce the volumes these guys do, then say 'the job's over, see you later'.
"It's not as straightforward ... when the fruit is there it's got to come off and when it's not there, there's no work."
There are currently about 200 RSE workers in Northland, though this number may change as workers move around the country.
Kerikeri Fruitgrowers Association chairman Felix Scheibmair said once they go home "it's going to look a whole lot different".
"Northland is good at using the local workforce, but there definitely will be a shortage.
"On one side there's the backpacker shortage, then there's the skilled labour shortage who come from the RSEs. They're people who've pruned for years and know what they're doing."
Scheibmair said the association is looking at how growers can engage with the local workforce.
But exemptions need to be made to get the RSE workers back next year, he said.
"At the moment it's manageable, but looking forward it looks like we'll have some difficulties with a labour shortage.
"There needs to be a continued push to engage with the local labour workforce, but it's not the answer to all our labour needs. Realistically the industry relies heavily on RSEs."
The Government has acknowledged that some sectors may experience short- to medium-term labour and skills gaps, particularly those that have had a high reliance on migrant workers in the past.
An Immigration NZ spokeswoman said the Government recently extended RSE visas by six months for those still in New Zealand who are unable to return home.
INZ has also established a process for RSE visa holders to move to other employers or regions if their existing employment is coming to an end, she said.
This has enabled them to continue earning while meeting the demand for picking, packing, pruning, planting and other essential tasks for growers.
However, "RSE workers who are currently outside of New Zealand will not be able to travel to New Zealand until border restrictions are lifted.
"The Government is looking at what options may be available for non-RSE visa holders in New Zealand to work in the horticulture and viticulture sectors."
Meanwhile, the Howells are taking it "day by day" and using the downtime to get renovations finished around the property.
"We have been working hard for the last six years, so maybe it's time to take time off," Victoria said.
"We live in a beautiful part of the world. Maybe it's time to slow down and chill for a little bit."