Hawke's Bay fears apple picker shortages despite RSE boost

Hawke's Bay apple growers saying a looming worker shortage is keeping them up at night - and that's despite more workers from the Pacific being brought in to help. An extra 1,750 workers nationwide will arrive under the Recognised Seasonal Employer, or RSE scheme, this season - and it's hoped between 500 to 600 will land in Hawke's Bay. While the increase is being welcomed, growers say it fails to keep pace with the region's record-low unemployment and an industry that's planting a million new trees a year.