Orchardists say they're facing the biggest labour crisis they've ever seen due to border closures and Covid-19.
They've been crying out for more workers for months and that's despite offering a minimum of $20 an hour and much more depending on how many bins of apples you can pick.
So why has there been such a low turnout? And is apple-picking really as hard as people say it is?
RNZ's Hawke's Bay reporter Tom Kitchin takes a look at the personalities up and around the apple picking ladders.
