Foreigners still possible

parents to get by.’’

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-galloway said a range of options were being discussed, including extending the provision of emergency accommodation and food, and helping to organise repatriation flights.

‘‘We haven’t decided to take any of those steps yet, but we are monitoring the situation closely, and if we feel we get to a point where further steps do need to be taken, then there are options available.’’

Most of the 1700 workers under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme in Hawke’s

Bay were meant to have already returned home.

While their employers were supporting them, there was also not enough work for all of them, said Gary Jones, chair of Hawke’s Bay Seasonal Labour Group.

Their contract had ended, but employers were reluctant to renew them because of the government requirement to guarantee at least 30 hours’ work each week, Jones said.

‘‘Because this is such an unknown, employers are very nervous about signing contracts.’’

The industry was working on a plan to get these RSE workers home, but some Pacific nations were still very nervous about the virus, he said.

They proposed turning worker accommodation into quarantine facilities, so seasonal workers would carry out two weeks’ isolation before a direct flight home, Jones said.

‘‘We would charter a flight directly out of Hawke’s Bay, Air New Zealand has indicated they would support us to transfer those workers to an international flight, and we would take a whole plane load that had been quarantined into the Pacific.’’ – RNZ

Civil Defence Hawke’s Bay is worried a ‘‘slow train wreck’’ is unfolding as it helps backpackers, seasonal workers and international students stranded in New Zealand without work.