Some employers in other parts of the country say the scheme to target staff shortages in the horticulture and viticulture industries is a success but the cost to employers is too high.
Seasonal Solutions director Basil Goodman said the numbers spoke for themselves, with an increase from 45 workers in the first season to 230 in the second and 350 in the third.
"That tells you it's a pretty reliable source of labour."
Employers are making up their workforce initially by employing locals who will stay for the long term, then bringing in Pacific workers, and finally topping up with backpackers.
Employers picked up the cost of bringing the Vanuatuans into the country, transporting them to and from work, and paying them at least the minimum wage.
That added up to about $3 an hour more than what it cost to employ locals or backpackers, Mr Goodman said.
He will travel to Vanuatu in a couple of weeks to interview for this season, and at least 230 workers already wanted to come back, he said.
Employers were keen for some of last year's workers to come back this year to be foremen, as they were now becoming very skilled in their work.
Central Otago Wine Growers Association chairman Martin Anderson said he had not heard any complaints from growers about the cost of employing people under the RSE scheme.
There had been good feedback from vineyards, he said.
"The marketplace for supplying seasonal workers is filling up, and I would not be surprised if Seasonal Solutions [which was formed to address those staff shortage issues several years ago] could find other contractors coming along with other offers," he said.
The Department of Labour's Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme targets the horticulture and viticulture industries, which often suffer from staff shortages.
Registered employers are able to gain temporary entry for workers recruited overseas.
The Marlborough wine industry has called the scheme a success but said the cost to employers was too high.
Wine Marlborough Ltd board member Dominic Pecchenino said 17 contractors and five growers became RSE accredited this year.
Between them they brought more than 700 Pacific Island workers into Marlborough.
Earlier this year, there were fears Marlborough would not have the staff to complete vine pruning.
Many contractors believe this fear would have been realised without the RSE numbers, Mr Pecchenino said.
He said the consensus with employers was that the scheme was a success but a number of issues needed to be addressed.
