Palmers Orchards volleyball team won the Motueka Volleyball League in New Zealand last week after remaining undefeated throughout the season.

The team of Tongan seasonal workers under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) to New Zealand defeated L2G Jazz 2-0 (25/22, 25/17).

The league hosts raucous game nights at Motueka High School gym where 12 teams of RSE workers compete at very high standard, supported by friends and workmates, Stuff NZ reported.

Orchard owner Ian Palmer said their success was more remarkable as he had just half the number of Tongan RSE workers than usual after his orchards suffered hail damage last spring.

His team last year was cut from 10 to 5 workers but they picked up help from other workers and having a couple of very experienced players who helped led team made the difference, he said.

Allan Brodie the organiser said the standard was such that the Motueka rep team competing in the Nelson volleyball competition was made up entirely of RSE workers and among the players was Tongan international volleyball rep Oliva Mago.