Seasonal workers involved in this year's apple picking don't seem to be going back on the dole, but are instead moving into jobs in other areas.
Last year, Motueka's job seeker register rose by 126 people at the end of April as picking finished, bringing the total to 211, compared withonly 85 at the peak of the season.
This year the register had increased by only 18 people over the same period, bringing the total to 74 registered job seekers.
Work and Income's Motueka service centre manager Kate Rose said new strategies were putting people returning from seasonal work in one sector into work in other industries.
"With the hoki season about to start there is an ideal opportunity for people to move from pipfruit work to the fishing industry and we are working closely with the local industry to help facilitate this."
