Amid worker shortages and fruit been left in the ground or on trees, the kiwifruit industry stands as a lone bright spot.

This year's kiwifruit harvest is expected to be another record breaker 

Nikki Johnson, from New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers, said the increase was mainly from more plantings of gold fruit, which the exporter Zespri had been planning for.

Up to 23,000 seasonal workers will be in orchards and packhouses during the April peak.

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