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24 August 2022

 

In this week's issue we cover:

Nadine's update

Intense time for all

August is proving to be another intense month for our industry.

Wet weather has continued to affect vegetable production across the country while the Nelson region declared a State of Emergency until the end of August. Fruit as well as vegetable growers have been affected, with orchards and vegetable paddocks turning into rivers. HortNZ and product groups will continue to monitor the situation and offer support. The Government is also offering assistance.

Many of you will have watched the Sunday programme on the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme or heard or read other negative media about the scheme. We are focused on correcting this negative perception and working with the Government to improve the scheme they administer and manage. 

Read the full update here

Environment

Nelson/Tasman severe weather event assistance

Assistance is available for growers and farmers affected by the recent storms in the Nelson/Tasman region. The assistance is outlined in a factsheet, which provides advice on post flooding health and self-care, along with a list of support that is available.

Rural Support Trusts have also been allocated funding by the Government to assist with recovery efforts.

Click here to view the factsheet
Click here to read more about the government support

Proposed Central Otago District Plan Change

The Plan Change 19 (PC19) proposes a suite of changes to the way residential areas of Central Otago are zoned and managed. It includes re-zoning land to meet future growth, largely based on the Vincent and Cromwell Spatial Plans that the Council has consulted on before. 

Growers are encouraged to consider if the proposed changes will affect their ability to operate in a rural area, and if the re-zoning would take land out of horticultural use in the future. 

Submissions on PC19 close on Friday 2 September.

Please email leanne.roberts@hortnz.co.nz by 5pm Wednesday 31 August with the views you would like reflected in the submission that HortNZ will make.  

Click here to read more on Proposed Plan Change 19

Other District Plan consultations 

The Waitaki and the Kaipara District Councils are consulting on draft District Plan changes. The Waitaki consultation closes on Wednesday 31 August and the Kaipara consultation closes on Friday 16 September.  

Also, the Whakatane District Council is consulting on Plan Change 6 - audible bird scaring devices. This consultation closes Friday 16 September.

Click here for the Waitaki consultation
Click here for the Kaipara consultation
Click here for the Whakatane consultation
Young Grower

Young Grower National Final: get tickets now!

The Young Grower of the Year National Final will take place in Nelson this year on Wednesday 21 September.

Tickets are on sale now for the awards dinner on Thursday 22 September at the Rutherford Hotel, Nelson. All are encouraged to attend and support the finalists at the Wednesday activities too.

Contestants will compete in a series of business and practical modules designed to test their horticultural skills, business knowledge, leadership abilities, oratory talents and more.

The 2022 finalists are:

  • Nelson - Meryn Whitehead (Vailima Orchards)
  • Central Otago - Jacob Coombridge (Webb’s Fruit)
  • Pukekohe  - Sarah Dobson (A.S Wilcox & Sons)
  • Hawke’s Bay - Maatu Akonga (T&G Global)
  • Gisborne – Maninder Singh (Leaderbrand)
  • Bay of Plenty - Laura Schultz (Trevelyans).  

Further details can be found on the Young Grower of the Year website 

Click here to book tickets

Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award 2023 - Entry form

The call is out for passionate young Māori growers to sign up for the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award 2023.

The competition is an excellent opportunity for young growers to raise their profile, and develop and improve vital skills for their horticulture careers.

Completed entry forms and any accompanying documents must be submitted to info@ahuwhenuatrophy.maori.nz by Friday 10 February 2023.

Click here to enter
HortNZ 

HortNZ AGM 21 September 2022, Nelson

The Horticulture New Zealand Incorporated Annual General Meeting (AGM) is being held on Wednesday 21 September at the Headingly Centre, Richmond, Nelson. 

The AGM will start at 4pm, followed by an awards ceremony and the launch of the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower competition for 2023. Refreshments will be available after this. 

HortNZ levy paying growers who are entitled to vote at the AGM will receive further information in the coming week, including proxy voting forms for those members who are not able to attend the meeting in person. 

If you do not receive this information by Thursday 25 August, please contact Board Secretary kerry.norman@hortnz.co.nz.

Click here for more info about the HortNZ AGM
Industry

Sponsor a Food Waste Innovation student

Help support the next generation of food waste innovators by sponsoring a summer student from the University of Otago's Food Waste Innovation Research team to complete a 5-10 week research project with your business between November 2022- February 2023.

If you have a specific food waste related research need or are interested in fostering some emerging talent in the food waste research space, this is a perfect opportunity to engage a student researcher.

Please register your interest by contacting food.waste@otago.ac.nz by Wednesday 7 September. 

Click here to learn more about Food Waste Innovation research
Worth a read
A selection of articles from The Orchardist and NZGrower magazines. Click here to subscribe.

Wonky produce finds a home

A produce delivery business selling imperfect and surplus fruit and vegetables of all shapes, sizes and colours, is helping make use of produce at risk of going to waste.

Read the article

Rewarding career for Central Otago grower

For Tim Officer, a six-month stint as a seasonal worker before heading off overseas was just the beginning of a fulfilling career in horticulture.

Read the article

Industry in the media
 

Workers
Newshub: Ongoing seasonal labour shortages have left Pukekohe growers struggling to pick their crops 

Newstalk ZB: Immigration Minister, Michael Wood, discusses the changes to the Working Holiday Scheme

Kiwifruit 
RNZ: Court rules SunGold kiwifruit licences can be included in property RV 

Industry 
Stuff: Vertical farm offers fresh local strawberries in winter 

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