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“Usually this time of year we have lots of European backpackers floating around and this year we don’t.” Wineries and contractors were aware of the labour crunch and had been trying to get more staff via advertising and through Work and Income, he said. “We just don’t have the number of people that we require to do the handpicking in our region.” The harvest was due to start in early March and run for just over a month. Viticultural contractors were searching nationwide, but a lack of affordable accommodation in Martinborough also made it difficult to recruit. Panadda Wall, of Wall Horticultural Services, said they didn’t have enough staff for this year’s Wairarapa harvest and they were desperately seeking more with the start of the crop ready in two or three weeks.