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COVID-19 update for horticulture
COVID-19, or the Coronavirus, is affecting the whole world, including us here in New Zealand. Restrictions on the movement of people, and imported and exported products are starting to affect the New Zealand economy, and will have an effect on horticulture.
What follows is a compilation of official advice to help growers understand and stay up to date with Coronavirus, and its actual or anticipated impact.
Labour
HortNZ is working with regional labour coordinators, the Ministry for Social Development (MSD) and the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) to assess the labour requirements that could be left unmet, as a result of global restrictions on the movement of people.
MSD and MBIE want to fill these gaps with people who are not currently in work in other industries like forestry, who have transferable skills relevant to horticulture.
“There are opportunities in the horticulture and wine industries for New Zealanders who no longer have work due to Coronavirus,” says HortNZ Chief Executive Mike Chapman.
“Anyone in this position wanting work should contact local growers or visit Work the Seasons because we have important jobs that are available now.
“At the same time, given that one third of the food we eat in New Zealand is imported and our reliance on seasonal labour, the country needs to develop an active contingency, resilience and self-sufficiency plan. This is not just a role for Government. It is everyone’s responsibility to be part of a much needed resilience plan for New Zealand.”
To listen to an interview with Nikki Johnson (NZKGI) about the possible impact of Coronavirus on the kiwifruit harvest on RNZ Rural News, click here.
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Below are links to information about Coronavirus that should be of use to growers
General health information
Ministry of Health
World Health Organisation
Information for business
Worksafe – Workplace preparedness for Coronavirus
Business.govt – Information for businesses
Immigration NZ – Immigration update
MPI – The effects on trade
Food Safety
MPI - Coronavirus and food safety
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Consultation on Fair Trading Act
The Government is taking action on unfair commercial practices via an amendment to the Fair Trading Act.
HortNZ is preparing a submission on behalf of growers. To ensure our submission reflects your views, please complete our brief survey by Friday 20 March.
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Call for HortNZ directors 2020
This year, three grower elected Horticulture New Zealand directors will retire by rotation. The HortNZ board is also looking to appoint a director to complement the skills, experience and knowledge of the grower directors elected by members.
Nominations are being sought from individual grower members, affiliated product groups, and affiliated grower associations for the three director vacancies. The nomination form and job description are available on the HortNZ website at the link below.
Candidates who are interested in applying for the appointed director position can find more details, including a job description at the link below.
For more information, contact Kerry Norman or call 0508 467 869.
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Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme
Applications for the June 2020 Kellogg Programme close on 16 March 2020.
This well-respected programme provides leadership skills, tools and applications through workshops with topic specialists and sessions with industry leaders. The course runs over six months with 17 days of programmed content delivered in three residential-based phases. This is a great opportunity for professional development for aspiring industry leaders.
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Vocational Education Reform – horticulture briefing
When: 1- 2.30pm, Wednesday 11 March
Where: NZ Apples and Pears Office, Hastings
A briefing on the Vocational Education Reform will be held tomorrow. The meeting will cover where we need to commit as a sector; the creation of a centre of vocational excellence in the Hawkes Bay for apples; and, Transformation of the primary industry training organisation under the reforms.
Zoom video calling facilities are available – please contact Kerry Norman for the links.
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ECan - Mahinga Kai workshop
When: 10:30am, Friday 20 March
Where: Kōkōmuka Lodge, 567 Poyntzs Road, Eyrewell
RSVP: events@ecan.govt.nz
Environment Canterbury is calling for Waimakariri farmers to grab the opportunity to learn more about mahinga kai - the hidden biodiversity treasures on farms.
Join Cultural Land Management Advisor, Makarini Rupene, at a 'shed talk' in Waimakariri about mahinga kai on your farm.
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Canterbury Farm Environment Plan workshop 1 for fruit and vegetables
Lincoln:
When: 2 - 4pm, Tuesday 17 March
Where: Lincoln Events Centre
Ashburton:
When: 6 - 8pm, Tuesday 17 March
Where: Hotel Ashburton
Timaru:
When: 4 - 6pm, Wednesday 18 March
Where: Southern Trust Events Centre
HortNZ is offering two workshops on Farm Environment Plans (FEPs) in three locations across Canterbury, mid to late March 2020. The workshops are open to all commercial vegetable and fruit growers. The details above are for the first workshop.
Workshop 1 will cover farm mapping, and erosion and sediment control. Workshop 2 will cover nutrient and water management, biodiversity and mahinga kai. You can register for both workshops in your area in the same transaction.
Click here for full workshop info. Workshops cost $200 per business per workshop (more than one person can attend) and are free for consultants and ECan staff.
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Pukekohe Farm Environment Plan workshop
When: 5.30 - 8.00pm, Wednesday 25 March
Where: Pukekohe Indian Hall
This FEP workshop will focus on mapping, and erosion and sediment control. It will step you through requirements under the NZGAP Environmental Management System (EMS) add-on.
Click here for full workshop info. Workshops cost $200 per business per workshop (more than one person can attend).
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The Canterbury workshop series and Pukekohe workshop are intended to help growers to create a Farm Environment Plan, using the NZGAP Environment Management System (EMS) add-on. This environmental add-on is for growers who wish to manage their regional council’s environmental requirements alongside their usual NZGAP audit.
Click here for more information on the EMS.
Click here to register for the EMS add-on ($250 per business).
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Entries open for the Pukekohe and Central Otago
Young Grower competition!
The prestigious Young Grower competition is a great opportunity for talented young fruit and vegetable growers to test their horticultural knowledge and skills. The competition develops young growers leadership and professional skills, creating valuable career opportunities.
If you or someone you work with are interested in applying, head to the Young Grower website for information and how to enter.
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Horticulture Conference 2020
The 2020 Horticulture Conference will be at Mystery Creek on 29-31 July. To receive a sponsorship prospectus, email Amy Miller.
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