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Jonathan Bates wins Nelson Young Grower competition
Jonathan Bates, a 28-year-old orchard block supervisor at Birdhurst Ltd, has won the 2021 Nelson Young Grower competition.
"I’m still in shock - I totally didn’t expect to win,” says Jonathan. “I love horticulture, and I’ve always seen a future career path for myself in the industry. I really think that there’s an opportunity for everyone in horticulture.
“The big challenge for the industry is to shift the perception of horticulture being just fruit picking – there is so much more than that. I’m really passionate about increasing people’s understanding of horticulture. Anyone can have a rewarding job with career progression in the industry.”
HortNZ Chief Executive, Nadine Tunley, says that the competition plays an important role in bringing together the growing community. “It’s incredibly amazing to see the grower community come together to support the young people in our industry,” says Nadine.
“It’s been really tough for growers in the region with the Boxing Day hail and ongoing labour issues, so the Young Grower competition is a great chance for everyone to come together and celebrate the talented young leaders in the industry.
Jonathan will represent the Nelson growing community in the national Young Grower of the Year competition in Wellington on 22-23 September.
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The 2019 Gisborne Young Grower contestants.
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Gisborne Young Grower this Thursday!
The Gisborne Young Grower is fast approaching, taking place this Thursday 8 July. The competition will see young growers working in the fruit and vegetable industries put their knowledge and skills to the test.
This year’s 10 contestants are: Olivia Abernethy, Kaiaponi; Maddie (Madison) Ellingham, Bruntwood Farms; Jacob Harrison, Williams Brothers; Albi (Albert) Hirini, DeCosta Enterprises; Sonia Hollands, Riversun Nursery; Jamie McIntyre, Illawarra; Lilah Rosenfeldt, Jolarna Trust; Billy Stackhouse, Leaderbrand; Pip Terekai, Eastern Bay Orchards; and Jordan Watts, Kaitere Farms.
Practical activities will take place from 9.00am to 3.15pm at Kaiaponi Farms, 555 Matawai Road, Gisborne. All are welcome to come along and support the young growers.
The awards gala dinner and speech competition will be held at “The Vines” Bushmere Estate, 166 Main Road, Makaraka, Gisborne, commencing 6pm. Tickets are $85, contact Natalya Egan to purchase at nat@growing.co.nz or 027 601 3777.
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RMA replacement – Draft legislation open for submissions
The proposed Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA) will be the main replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA) once enacted. It is central to the reform of the resource management system.
Government has released a draft of the NBA. The draft has been referred by Parliament to a select committee inquiry process, but does not cover the full bill.
The draft provides an early look at key aspects of this legislation including:
• The purpose of the NBA (including Te Tiriti o Waitangi clause) and related provisions
• The National Planning Framework
• The Natural and Built Environments plans.
Submissions close on Wednesday 4 August 2021. Click here to read the draft legislation and for information on how to make a submission.
HortNZ NBA grower meetings and submission
HortNZ will make a submission on the proposed NBA legislation on behalf of all growers.
To inform the submission, HortNZ will discuss the proposal and seek feedback at a series of grower meetings around the country and online:
• Dargaville - 14 July, 1pm
• Hawke's Bay - 22 July, TBC
• Pukekohe - 27 July, 1pm
• Alexandra - 29 July, 6pm
• Webinar - 28 July, 1pm
If you would like to attend, please register using this form. If you have any questions about the meetings, contact Michelle Sands.
The HortNZ submission on the exposure draft of the NBA Bill, will be sent to affiliated groups seeking feedback and support. HortNZ will send the draft out on 21 July, seeking feedback from affiliated groups by Monday 2 August.
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Country of origin food labelling guidance
The Commerce Commission is developing guidance for businesses on the new Consumer Information Standards (Origin of Food) Regulations 2021.
From 12 November 2021, businesses must disclose where the fresh and thawed food they supply, offer or advertise for supply, comes from.
This only applies to single-ingredient fruit, vegetable, fish, seafood, meat and cured pork products. It does not apply to food sold for fundraising or food that is intended for immediate consumption (e.g. at restaurants, takeaway stores etc). From 12 May 2023, the new food labelling regulations will also apply to single-ingredient frozen food.
The Commerce Commission will be publishing updated information on food labelling changes via their website and through an email distribution list.
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HortNZ AGM papers
Please find a link below to the 2021 Horticulture New Zealand Annual General Meeting (AGM) papers for our upcoming AGM to be held at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Friday 6 August 2021 at 7.30am. Also included is a one-page summary providing highlights on the 2021 HortNZ Annual Report.
A Proxy form and AGM information is being sent by post to eligible growers. If you do not receive the information by 15 July 2021, please contact the Board Secretary.
If you require further information about the 2021 HortNZ AGM please email board.secretary@hortnz.co.nz. If you have any questions about the 2021 Annual Report, please contact Andrew Bristol.
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Register now for the 2021 Horticulture Conference
Register now for the 2021 Horticulture Conference: Resilience & Recovery, which will be held at Mystery Creek, Hamilton from 5-6 August.
Click here to view the full programme.
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Conference awards dinner tickets
Wanting to attend the Plant & Food Research Gala Dinner & Awards at the Horticulture Conference on 5 August? Tickets are $120 per head.
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Young Grower national final tickets available
Tickets are on sale now for the Young Grower of the Year national finals awards dinner on Thursday 23 September in Wellington.
The awards dinner is one of the horticulture industry's most anticipated events. Finalists of the Young Grower competition will deliver their speeches before the winners are announced.
This year's dinner will be held at the Lower Hutt Events Centre in Wellington. Tickets can be purchased individually or booked as a group of 10.
Finalists will be competing in a series of business and practical activities prior to the awards dinner on Wednesday 22 September. Finalists will also take part in the Ballance Agri-Nutrients panel and provide their views on a contemporary leadership issue.
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Final call for VNZI 2021 board nominations
Nominations for the two vacancies on the Vegetables New Zealand Inc (VNZI) Board of Directors are due by 5pm on Thursday 8 July.
Any vegetable grower interested in joining the VNZI Board should contact VNZI General Manager Antony Heywood on 021 998 038. Nominations close at 5pm on 8 July. |
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NZ Apples & Pears Conference
The 2021 NZ Apples & Pears Conference is set to be held on from 11-13 August at the Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre.
This year’s conference, Building Resilience in Challenging Times, will focus on the learnings taken from Covid-19 and how we must respond in a post-Covid world. The programme will also look at ongoing challenges, and the strategies that industry might use to address those challenges; the workforce and orchard of the future; the transition to automation and sustainability; loss of chemistry; future of assurances; and the changing role that Prevar will play in our future.
The Grochem Gala dinner will be held on 12 August and a lunch will conclude the event on 13 August. For more information on sessions and speakers, check out the full programme. |
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Northland Farm Environment Plan workshops starting next week
HortNZ, Vegetables New Zealand (VNZI), and Northern Wairoa Vegetable Growers Association (NWVGA) are pleased to offer a series of FREE workshops to outdoor vegetable and cropping growers in Northland.
These workshops will focus on how to develop a horticulture Farm Environment Plan using the NZGAP Environment Management System (EMS) add-on.
A total of three workshops will be held at the Lighthouse Function Centre at the Dargaville Museum – facilitated by Andrew Barber from Agrilink and Luke Posthuma from LandWISE.
It is recommended both management and operational staff responsible for implementing the Farm Environment Plan attend these workshops.
Workshop 1: Wednesday 14 July, 1-4pm
The first hour of workshop one will give an overview of new national freshwater farm plan regulations. The rest of the workshop will introduce the EMS add-on, discuss property mapping (FEP template section 5) and soils management (FEP template, section 6).
Workshop 2: Wednesday 11 August, 2-4pm
Workshop 3: Wednesday 8 September, 2-4pm.
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Mental Health workshops with Sir John Kirwan
NZ Apples & Pears has developed a series of workshops in conjunction with Mentemia, a wellbeing platform providing education and tools to support growers’ mental wellbeing.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is also supporting the initiative.
All Black legend and mental health advocate Sir John Kirwan will be sharing the story of his mental health journey, and how you can help yourself and those around you by prioritising your wellbeing.
The workshops are FREE to attend. Whānau and family members are also welcome.
Hawke's Bay – Click here to register
Thursday 15 July, 5-7pm, Ellwood Function Centre
Nelson – Click here to register
Wednesday 18 August, 5-7pm, Moutere Hills Community Centre
Central Otago – Click here to register
Tuesday 31 August, 5-7pm, Alexandra Community Centre Hall |
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Register for NZGAP Annual Meeting 2021
This year, the NZGAP Annual Meeting will be held via webinar on Wednesday 21 July at 4pm. Click here to register (free).
The meeting will cover an update on the current strategy review, including draft recommendations after analysis of the recent public survey results. NZGAP will also deliver an update on milestones achieved over the past year, as well as priorities for this year.
The NZGAP session at the Horticulture Conference on 5 August, 10.30am – 12pm, will be grower-focused, covering Farm Environment Plans, Social Practice and the Future of Auditing.
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NZGAP Committee Election Results
Congratulations to Mathew Bannister who has been re-elected to the NZGAP Committee for another three-year term. Mathew was the sole nominee from NZGAP members (HortNZ affiliated product groups and organisations) so has automatically been re-elected. The committee are delighted with this result as Mathew brings a wealth of insight and knowledge to the table given his role of compliance manager at First Fresh in Gisborne.
The current NZGAP committee members are:
Tony Howey Grower - HortNZ appointed (Chair)
John Murphy Grower - HortNZ appointed (Vegetables NZ Inc. representative)
Allen Lim Grower - elected
Cath Carter Grower - elected
Kate Trufitt Grower - elected
Mathew Bannister Non-Grower - elected
Mark Casey Independent - HortNZ appointed
For more information, please visit the NZGAP website: www.nzgap.co.nz/governance
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Proposed Otago Regional Policy Statement 2021
The proposed Otago Regional Policy Statement 2021 (pORPS) is out for public consultation. The pORPS sets the direction for future management of Otago's natural and physical resources, including water quantity and quality, and land use. It is important for informing the future Otago Land and Water Plan, Coastal Plan and District Plans. The pORPS and relevant information are available at Proposed Otago Regional Policy Statement 2021 (orc.govt.nz).
HortNZ will write a submission on behalf of all growers.
Public submissions close at 3pm on 3 September 2021. If you would like to know more, or have specific comments, contact Rachel McClung.
There will be a grower meeting with the Central Otago Fruit Growers, where HortNZ will discuss the proposal on 29 July, 6pm at the Centennial Court Hotel, Alexandra. |
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Biosecurity awards entries open
The Ministry for Primary Industries is calling for entries for the annual New Zealand Biosecurity Awards, acknowledging people and organisations across Aotearoa who are contributing to biosecurity.
There are several award categories which recognise both individuals and teams whose hard work and contributions help ensure our country and its unique environment is safe from pests and diseases.
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