The dairy industry says despite a big push to try and attract locals, it's still hundreds of staff short this season.
The closure of New Zealand's borders to foreign nationals has hard hit many primary industries - with deep sea fishers, vets, farm machinery operators and fruit pickers and packers also in short supply.
Industry leaders say getting more New Zealanders in these jobs is a complex problem which won't be solved overnight.
Maja Burry reports.
