|
|
|
|
Top L and R: Sarah Dobson pictured completing the health and safety module; and receiving the trophy from HortNZ president, Barry O'Neil.
Bottom L: Contestants completing the morning briefing. Bottom R: Marcus Bruce, Molly Green, Sarah Dobson and Chris Lowe.
|
|
Sarah Dobson wins Pukekohe Young Grower
Sarah Dobson, a 25-year-old environment and sustainability technician at A.S. Wilcox, has won the 2022 Pukekohe Young Grower competition.
‘I was so rapt when they called my name to say that I had won, I couldn’t believe it,’ says Sarah. ‘I wasn’t expecting to win as it was such a tight competition; all the other competitors were really strong.’
‘I really want to say a huge thanks to the team at A.S. Wilcox. I was quite nervous before the competition, but I did lots of preparation with help from my colleagues. Everyone there has been so supportive in helping me prepare.'
Sarah says that she’s really looking forward to the national Young Grower of the Year competition in Nelson on 21-22 September. She’ll be representing the Pukekohe growing community, competing against six other regional finalists for their share of $30,000 worth of prizes.
|
|
HortNZ submission on Fair Pay Agreements
HortNZ does not support Fair Pay Agreements (FPA) and has made that clear in its submission to the Government.
HortNZ supports the intended benefits of FPAs, including better living standards and better engagement between employers and employees. However, the horticulture sector is already delivering these outcomes, without FPAs adding unnecessary complexities and red tape to growers’ businesses.
Rather than use FPAs, HortNZ would like to see the Government concentrate compliance in sectors where issues have been identified.
|
|
Pay your HortNZ levy online
Payments are now due for fruit and vegetable sales made directly to the public for the year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. All growers were sent the Direct Levy Declaration form which included information about how to complete a levy declaration online.
All growers are required by law to complete a declaration if they have sold fruit or vegetables, in a fresh or processed form, directly to the public during this period (e.g., gate or roadside sales, internet sales, farmers or flea markets, restaurants, or own exports). Click here to read more about the Vegetable and Fruit Commodity Levy.
If you have any queries, need help or wish to update your business contact information, please email levy@hortnz.co.nz or call the HortNZ freephone on 0508 467 869.
|
|
Horticulture Industry Awards
HortNZ is calling for nominations for its 2022 Horticulture Industry Awards. There are three awards:
- Bledisloe Cup – awarded for outstanding and meritorious contribution to the New Zealand horticulture industry
- President's Trophy – awarded for inspiring leadership within the horticulture industry
- Environmental Award – for a person or organisation focussed on a sustainable environment project.
A full description and criteria for the above awards can be found on the HortNZ website. Nominations close at 5pm on Tuesday 7 June 2022.
|
|
Roles available at HortNZ
HortNZ is recruiting for several roles to support the HortNZ team.
|
|
Communications Advisor
HortNZ is looking for someone who wants to develop their communications career further. You will be part of a three-person Communications team that is across the entire suite of communications activity, from magazine production to media relations to social media.
Click here for more info and to apply.
|
Events Lead
As the Events Lead, you will work with internal and external stakeholders to develop and deliver exciting events that align with the vision of HortNZ and build on the organisation’s reputation for industry leadership.
Click here for more info and to apply.
|
|
|
|
From L to R: Maatu Akonga, Jan Buter, William Horsefield, Ben Jarvis, Dharam Singh, Nga Stanley, Alix Te Kere and Junior Vaai.
|
|
Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower this week!
The Hawke’s Bay competition will be held on Thursday 26 May at the Tomoana Showgrounds. All are welcome to come along and watch the activities, which will take place between 9am and 3pm.
This year’s finalists for the Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower competition are:
Maatu Akonga (T&G Global), Jan Buter (T&G Global), William Horsefield (Rockit Management Services), Ben Jarvis (Mr Apple), Dharam Singh (Thornhill Horticulture), Nga Stanley (Craigmore Sustainables), Alix Te Kere (Rockit) and Junior Vaai (Craigmore Sustainables).
The speech competition and awards dinner is on Friday 27 May at Toitoi Arts and Events Centre.
|
|
Upcoming Young Grower competitions
|
|
Central Otago
Entries have now closed.
The competition is on 10 June with activities being held at the Central Otago Campus, Horticulture Training Facility in Cromwell. The awards dinner will be at The Moorings, Cromwell.
Nelson
Click here to download the entry form. Email completed entry forms to richard@birdhurst.co.nz by 4pm, Friday 10 June.
The competition is on 8 July with activities being held at the A&P showground, Richmond. The awards dinner will be at the Rutherford Hotel, Nelson.
Later competition dates:
Gisborne – 14 July
Bay of Plenty – 20 July
The National Young Grower of the Year final will take place in Nelson, on 21–22 September 2022.
|
|
|
A selection of articles from The Orchardist and NZGrower magazines. Click here to subscribe.
|
|
|
A guide to New Zealand’s biosecurity system
Part 1: All layers of the system are required to provide maximum protection.
HortNZ risk policy advisor, Eve Pleydell, gives an overview of the New Zealand biosecurity system, which is made up of many layers that all need to work together.
Read the article
|
|
Flexible working conditions enhance industry’s appeal
More flexible working conditions implemented by many in the horticultural industry during the Covid-19 pandemic are helping make the sector even more attractive to women, says Shayna Ward, compliance and quality manager Te Mata Exports.
Read the article
|
|
South Island wellbeing workshops with
Sir John Kirwan
NZAPI is running two mental wellbeing workshops with Sir John Kirwan and the support of MPI in Nelson and Central Otago next month.
All Black legend and mental health advocate Sir John Kirwan will share his powerful story of reaching the very top of his sport, his mental health journey, and how you can help yourself and those around you by prioritising your wellbeing.
The workshops are free to attend and whānau and family members are welcome to join.
The workshops are supported by MPI.
|
|
Nelson
When: Wednesday 8 June, 5-7pm
Where: Moutere Hills Community Centre
Click here to register
|
Central Otago
When: Thursday 9 June, 5-7pm
Where: Alexandra Community Centre
Click here to register
|
|
Agrecovery Canterbury collections
– bookings close Friday 27 May
Canterbury growers and farmers are being urged to make use of a subsidised programme to return their unwanted or expired agrichemicals.
Throughout June, Agrecovery will be running several chemical recovery events in the Canterbury region. With free or subsidised recovery and disposal of more than 3000 products, the programme provides the perfect opportunity to safely dispose of potentially dangerous chemicals.
Bookings close 27 May for the June Canterbury events are essential. Growers, farmers and contractors can log their unwanted and expired chemicals for collection with Agrecovery by registering at agrecovery.co.nz or calling 0800 247 326.
|
|
Modern slavery and worker exploitation - submission and webinar
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is seeking feedback on a legislative response to modern slavery and worker exploitation. Click here to read more.
HortNZ will be developing a submission on behalf of all growers. The draft submission will be sent to affiliated groups for comment in late May.
Webinar
When: 9.30am-10.30am, Monday 30 May
HortNZ will host a Zoom meeting to discuss the proposal, our draft submission and to seek feedback.
|
|
National climate change adaptation plan consultation
The Government is consulting on the draft national climate change adaptation plan. Submissions close on 3 June. The draft plan sets out actions to support all sectors and communities to adapt to climate change. Information on the plan can be found on the MfE website.
HortNZ will develop a submission on behalf of all growers. If you are interested in this topic or intend to write a submission, please email Michelle Sands.
Webinar
When: 10am-11am, Tuesday 31 May
HortNZ will also hold a Zoom meeting to discuss the proposal and our draft submission.
|
|
|
|
Sprout accelerator programme
Sprout, New Zealand’s leading agrifoodtech accelerator and investor, is accepting applications from entrepreneurs for its next cohort.
The Sprout Accelerator is 12-weeks of virtual and in person sessions. The programme helps develop start-ups and give them the tools and connections to help businesses launch.
Registrations for their next cohort are open now, and close 4 June.
|
|
|
|
Registrations open for Primary Industries Summit
Early bird pricing for the Primary Industries New Zealand Summit & Awards 2022 is on now. The summit is a pan-sector conference for the food and fibre industries and will gather influential leaders from the primary ecosystem including land, government, science, and producers. Read more here.
Early bird prices are available until 3 June, and dinner tickets need to be purchased separately.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
