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Photos: Top:RNZ Bottom:NZ Herald/Dean Purcell
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Growers in Auckland
The horticulture industry has been working with the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ministry of Health to provide a list of core growing businesses directly involved in growing fresh vegetables and fruit, who have staff that need to cross the Auckland border. Once checked by the Ministry of Health, this list of businesses will be gazetted and used by NZ Police when they check people crossing in or out of Auckland.
When the Ministry of Health has scrutinised and approved the final list for gazetting (passing into regulation), we will ask them if we can advise businesses of their status.
Associated businesses that supply the horticulture industry should apply for an exemption via this Ministry of Health email address: covid-19policyresponse@health.govt.nz. Click here for more information.
We will continue to provide updates on this process through our newsletters and updates to our website.
Confirmation letters
There are two letters that all essential horticulture workers must carry with them in order to work during Alert Level 3 and cross the Auckland border. NZ Police is advising that workers must have this documentation so they can prove to Police officers that they need to enter or leave Auckland.
Letter 1: Ministry of Health Exemption Letter - click here to download.
This letter provides the exemption for horticulture (and dairy factory) workers to enter and leave Auckland during Alert Level 3.
Letter 2: Movement declaration form - click here to download.
Employers are advised by NZ Police to provide employees with this form for workers travelling to and from work. The declaration letter declares who the workers work for, where they are travelling, as well as employer information. Please adapt the letter to your needs.
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COVID-19: Business support update
HortNZ has compiled a summary of support options that are available to businesses.
Click here to view the summary.
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RSE update
Our advice remains the same: get your ATRs in for:
- Redeployment of stranded RSE workers plus their visa extension application.
- Your normal programmes (as if Covid was not here).
Industry groups are still working with the Government on visa flexibility for both RSE workers and renewing Working Holiday Visas. Announcements are due soon as a number of visas are expiring. As these people are still stranded, renewals will be granted. Visas can only be extended for six months but for RSE workers, apply for the length of time you have employment for them even if this runs over six months.
The RSE worker page on the Work the Seasons website is being tested. It will hopefully go live by week’s end, offering another way in which to connect RSE workers with potential employment.
Repatriation
Flights are still going. Register any worker who needs to or wants to go home with their High Commission, as the priorities and flight control is being run by the Pacific Governments.
Today, 100 RSE workers are travelling back to Vanuatu. As winter work concludes, we will be running another survey to get accurate as possible numbers for those who need to and want to return to the Pacific, and those who are willing to remain in New Zealand.
Pacific Bubble
The potential of us getting a Pacific Bubble or movement with quarantine in employer designated facilities has been made more difficult with the community-transmitted Covid cases in Auckland. But industry groups continue to push for a Pacific Bubble, and we will keep you updated.
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HortNZ in the media:
Auckland greengrocers left out of trading in level 3 again - RNZ
Midday Rural News for 18 August 2020 - RNZ
‘Horticulture New Zealand is frustrated that independent greengrocers in the Auckland area are being forced to close under the level 3 lockdown...
'Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman said it was disheartening that independent grocers in Auckland were once again being put back in this position. He said the disruption to the supply chain meant that there would very likely be wasted produce...'
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Covid-19: GAP and Food Act
NZGAP
- NZGAP certification is currently being provided via online registration, renewal and certification processes while staff work remotely. Printed certificates and implementation manuals will be posted out to growers when staff return to the HortNZ office at Level 1.
- If required and justified, growers may request an extension to their certification renewal date by emailing nzgap@hortnz.co.nz or calling 04 470 5867.
- NZGAP has developed systems and rules for a ‘remote audit module’ which was launched and successfully used by growers during the previous lockdown.
- See the NZGAP website for more information.
GLOBALG.A.P.
- GLOBALG.A.P. certificate validity may be extended beyond the 12 months, for a maximum period of 6 months. This can be done based on a risk assessment conducted by AsureQuality or SGS.
- The newly developed ‘GLOBALG.A.P. remote’ module enables audits to be completed remotely, however, this is not recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
- See GLOBALG.A.P. website for further information.
Food Act and GAP audits
- Audits in Level 3 area: should be completed remotely for non-exporters or with a combination of off-site (document and record review) and on-site visit for exporters.
- Audits in Level 2 area: can be completed with a combination of an off-site and on-site visit. Can also be completed remotely if requested by the grower.
- Please contact AsureQuality or SGS if you would like to hear more about your audit options, or if you would like your audit to be postponed due to Covid-19.
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NZGAP Social Practice add-on pilot audits underway
NZGAP has been working with industry, retailers and regulators to finalise the NZGAP Social Practice add-on module, which meets both regulatory and market expectations.
We are pleased to report that potential privacy issues, relating to auditors’ review of employee records, have now been resolved. Employers will be required to develop a privacy policy and make it available to workers. It is also recommended that a privacy clause is inserted into all new Employment Agreements. NZGAP has developed templates for these, which are currently being trialed by growers.
NZGAP is undertaking pilot audits to complete testing of the certification and audit processes. Feedback will enable final improvements to be made before the full launch.
Next steps
Businesses can now register for the NZGAP Social Practice add-on module, which can be audited alongside their next NZGAP audit, or as a stand-alone to meet a market deadline.
Those certified to GLOBALG.A.P., GRASP or SMETA (Sedex) already meet many market and regulatory requirements, but may opt to register for the NZGAP Social Practice add-on (currently no additional cost) to demonstrate local market or regulatory compliance.
NZGAP will be in contact with all those registered for social practice. Once the documents and process have been finalised, an audit can be scheduled. For further information contact jacqueline.neave@hortnz.co.nz or click here to visit the NZGAP Social Practice website.
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Update on the proposed National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land
In October 2019, Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry for Primary Industries released for feedback a discussion document for the proposed National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL). This document would provide national level policy for managing and protecting highly productive land under the Resource Management Act.
HortNZ made a submission, along with 250 other submitters. The summary of submissions is now available here.
The next steps for progressing the NPS-HPL have been delayed due to Covid-19. Officials now expect to provide final advice on the NPS-HPL to Ministers in the first half of 2021.
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Freshwater Improvement Fund
The Ministry for the Environment has announced the next application rounds for funding available under the Freshwater Improvement Fund.
- The first applications period between 7-21 September will prioritise investment ready projects.
- A second application period from 27 January-10 February 2021 to allow applicants more time to spend developing their proposals.
Funding is for projects that create employment opportunities which will improve the management of New Zealand’s lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater and wetlands. This funding is part of the $1.3 billion Jobs for Nature environmental funding programme.
Click here for more information, including the eligibility criteria.
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Agrichemicals in good supply for 2020-2021 season
Growers are being advised to be confident that agrichemicals are in good supply for the 2020 to 2021 season, even as we move between Covid-19 alert levels.
Industry association Agcarm insists that stocks will not run out.
“We are not going to run out of pesticides or animal medicines,” says its chief executive, Mark Ross.
Click here to read Agcarm's industry update.
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Register for the 2020 AGMs
The Annual General Meetings (AGM) for HortNZ, Onions New Zealand, TomatoesNZ and Vegetables New Zealand as well as the annual meeting of NZGAP will be held at the Pukekohe Indian Centre on 25 September 2020. Members can register at the link below. A zoom option is also available and can be selected via the registration website.
Click here to register for the AGMs
HortNZ Board of Directors Election 2020
Six candidates are standing for the three vacancies on the Horticulture New Zealand Board of Directors. The candidates are:
- Pierre Gargiulo
- Tony Howey
- Louise Peters
- Hugh Ritchie
- Kate Trufitt
- Duane Wells
All active grower should have received voting packs either via Post or by email. These packs include the candidates' profiles, information and voting papers. Votes can be cast in one of two ways: e-vote or postal vote. Voters will be able to vote for a maximum of three candidates. Voting is based on a first-past-the-post system so the three candidates with the most votes will be elected. The election will be run by independent election management company electionz.
Each candidates' profile and video are now available here. Voting will close at 12 noon on Wednesday 9 September 2020. If you do not receive an email or voting pack by Friday 21 August, please call the Election Helpline 0800 666 040. The results will be announced at the HortNZ AGM on Friday 25 September 2020.
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