Workers from cyclone-hit Vanuatu arrive in New Zealand

RSE workers from cyclone-hit Vanuatu have arrived in New Zealand, slightly later than planned, and needing to travel via Fiji.

Some have also left badly damaged villages behind and the money they earn this year will be helping in the re-building efforts.

Hundreds of workers from the country travel here each year to help with the busy harvest or pruning seasons on orchards and vineyards around the country.

Central Otago wine grower James Dicey employs about 50 ni-Vanuatu at this time of year. When Tropical Cyclone Lola arrived last week 20 remaining workers were days away from boarding flights to New Zealand.

There were fears they would not be able to fly out because when Cyclones Kevin and Judy hit earlier this year the main runway near Vila was out of action for weeks, but this time flights were able to continue.

Dicey said one of his lead RSE workers, Sam Tasso, had left his home where trees laid toppled on houses, traditionally built homes were folded flat and were a tangled mess.

"They are keen to work and start sending money home," he said.

Many in Tasso's commuity of West Ambrym were sheltering in the local church or at his house during the cyclone.

"The nice thing is that the guys that have been with me for a number of years have built concrete block accommodation at home and those houses are now being used as evacuation shelters," Dicey said.

This is a critical time of the year for grape growers because shoot-thinning on pinot noir and other varieties needs to be completed, but Dicey had said earlier he understood if workers elected to stay in Vanuatu and help with recovery.

Tropical Cylcone Lola, at one stage a category five storm as it approached Vanuatu, lashed the northern provinces, destroying houses and cutting communications.

Dicey said New Zealanders wanting to contribute to the recovery should send money via the New Zealand Red Cross as it has good distribution chains on the Pacific Island.