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The government last week delivered a timeline for the border to - slowly - crack open again, but many in the primary sector fear it'll be too late to make a dent in their worker shortages and help meet critical deadlines.
Vaccinated Kiwis in Australia can come home at the end of this month, while those New Zealanders in other parts of the world will be welcome from March 13 - which is also when higher-paid skilled migrants and those on working holiday visas can gain entry.
But it's not until mid-April that the offshore temporary visa holders that many industries rely on will be able to start returning - with the possibility of further class exceptions for lower-paid critical workforces.
And decisions are still being made on what the phasing in will look like. Kathryn speaks with two representatives of the primary sector: Philip Gregan from New Zealand Winemakers and Chris Lewis, board member and employment spokesperson for Federated Farmers.
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