Recent hot conditions have resulted in a huge amount of early growth for Central Otago vineyards. Some Otago vineyards are desperately trying to find enough workers to cope with the workload brought on by the dry spell. An Otago grape grower and viticulturist, James Dicey, said the hot conditions had meant there had been a huge amount of early growth. Mr Dicey said he was struggling to find staff to help with the workload. Backpackers who are inconsistent about when they decide to turn up, have decided that they won't come to Otago early and it's really been exacerbated by visa issues [with migrant workers]."

Source: Otago Daily Times December 03, 2017 20:37 UTC