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HortNZ in the media
Vegetables may be 'priced off the table' without Government action RNZ
HortNZ says vegetable prices will continue to rise if the government doesn't support growers to reduce costs.
HortNZ president Barry O'Neil said unless consumers are prepared to pay for the increased costs of growing vegetables, there will be an exodus of growers.
Read HortNZ’s media release
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Reminder about overseas driver licences
The eligibility extension for overseas driver licences is ending on 31 March 2022. The extension was put in place in 2020 after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic made overseas driver licence conversion difficult. By 31 March 2022, those using overseas driver licences must have done one of the following:
- converted to a New Zealand licence
- stopped driving
- left the country and returned, and therefore be permitted to have a further 12-month period of driving on a valid overseas driver's licence.
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Industry Trainee scholarships due
this Sunday
This Sunday is the last chance to apply for HortNZ’s annual Industry Trainee scholarships. Anyone who's studying for a certificate or diploma and is interested in horticulture should apply by 11pm on 20 March. Click here to access the application form.
This year, HortNZ is offering 30 scholarships, each worth $500. The scholarships are available to industry trainees active in the horticulture industry who are studying towards a certificate or diploma. Applications will be reviewed by a panel with the selection decision advised in May.
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Preventing injury in the horticulture industry
HortNZ has received funding from ACC for a project to decrease injuries and deaths through tools that reflect what happens out in the orchard, vegetable garden and packhouse.
The first step is to understand the real-life, on the ground picture around how and why injuries and deaths occur. Through this fuller picture, we can begin creating practical tools with industry, for the industry.
If you want more information or are keen to participate in our initial data collection, please contact Emily Lake – emily.lake@hortnz.co.nz or 027 582 6655. All data collected will be anonymised and used within strict privacy guidelines.
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Call for HortNZ Board director nominations
This year, two grower elected HortNZ directors will retire by rotation. Barry O’Neil and Kathryn de Bruin are offering themselves for re-election.
Nominations are now being sought from individual grower members, affiliated product groups, and affiliated grower associations for these two vacancies. Candidates must be nominated by at least two grower members or affiliated organisations.
Nominations close at 5pm, Friday 8 April. Click here to download the nomination form. If you have any questions, please email Kerry Norman, at kerry.norman@hortnz.co.nz.
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Mangawhai orchard gets fig growing down to an art
What began as a desire to bring fresh figs to the tables of Kiwis back in early 2008 has turned into a successful venture 14 years later. Helena O'Neill speaks to Anthea Raven of Fig'n Delicious.
Read the article
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Important reminder for growers around off-label use of products
There has been plenty of change in the working lives of Craig Botting and Austin Singh Purewal – the joint winners of the 2019 Pukekohe Young Vegetable Grower of the Year Competition. Glenys Christian reports.
Read the article
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Survey: help supercharge the hort industry
Growers are being asked to participate in a survey as part of research project to help unlock growth in the horticulture industry. The survey is part of Lincoln University PhD student, Julio Botero’s, research project on the business factors that enable or restrict growth of horticultural businesses.
The survey - running until 30 March - will take 15 minutes to complete and asks questions about your business structure and preferred ways of operating. Having a range of grower input is crucial for ensuring that the results reflect the breadth of the industry.
The research results will be used for a doctoral thesis, and a benchmark report will be sent to growers who participate.
All information is anonymous and individual surveys will be confidential. No information will be reported in a way that might identify individual or business participant information. Only aggregated data will be presented in any publications.
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Minimum wage is increasing on 1 April
Employers should be ready for the increase in minimum wage rates on Friday 1 April 2022. If you have not yet talked to your accountant, payroll provider or your finance/HR teams, now is the time. It’s also an opportunity to check your employment records, processes and systems.
The changes include:
- The adult minimum wage will increase from $20.00 to $21.20 per hour.
- The minimum wage for starting-out and training will go up from $16.00 to $16.96 per hour.
- All rates are before tax and any lawful deductions for example PAYE tax, student loan repayment, child support.
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Enter now: Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower of the Year
Young leaders of the Hawke’s Bay fruit growing industry are encouraged to enter the 2022 Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower of the Year competition. Entries are open now and close on 22 April.
Contestants will be put through their paces with a range of practical and theory-related horticultural activities. The winner of the competition will receive a huge prize package and go on to represent Hawke’s Bay in the national final in Nelson on 21-22 September.
The competition, run by the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association, will be held on Thursday 26 May at the Tomoana Showgrounds. This year’s Awards Dinner will be on 27 May at the Toitoi Arts and Events Centre, Hastings.
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Emissions pricing survey deadline shifted
Growers now have until Sunday 27 March to have their say how they should pay for greenhouse gas emissions. The survey should take only 5-10 minutes to complete.
It is vital that grower provide feedback. The He Waka Eke Noa process is now at the stage where only individual growers and farmers can provide feedback.
There are two alternative pricing options to horticulture joining the Emissions Trading Scheme. Click here to read more about the two options.
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Entries open for 2022 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards
Entries are open for the 2022 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards. Run by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and AGMARDT, the awards celebrate food and fibre sector employers who demonstrate exceptional employment practices.
Entries close Friday 25 March. You can enter your own business or on behalf of others in one or more of the six awards categories. The Supreme Award recognises the employer that stands out above all the other winners in their commitment to being an exemplary employer. If you have any questions, please email goodemployerawards@mpi.govt.nz.
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