The Central Otago wine industry is hoping a new World Bank-sponsored scheme will help solve a drastic worker shortage in the area.

Forty-five workers from Vanuatu have arrived in Cromwell as part of a pilot programme to use Pacific workers for seasonal work in vineyards and orchards.

The area has no unemployment and struggles to find enough workers for the busy fruit picking and wine production seasons.

James Dicey, who manages several vineyards in the area, says the lack of available workers is a great threat to the region's wine industry.

He says the scheme is working very well so far and he hopes it will be expanded.