A social work expert says solving the shortage of kiwifruit workers isn't as simple as joining the dots.

The Ministry of Social Development has declared a seasonal labour shortage in the Western Bay of Plenty.

Massey University professor and social work expert Mike O'Brien told Mike Hosking there's a whole set of issues around the precariousness and quality of the jobs - as well as people's commitment and capacity.

"The simplistic linking of jobs and people relies on a whole range of complex sets of questions, let's not get engaged in a simple adding one and one."

LISTEN ABOVE AS MIKE O'BRIEN SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING