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25 August 2020

Mike's Blog
Even the Berlin Wall came down


Containing Auckland's Covid outbreak is essential, but the border controls are causing many issues for the supply of fresh fruit and veg. We are working with govt to protect NZ's fruit and veg supply.

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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern points to the border exemption for horticulture. Source:RNZ

Exemption for horticulture gazetted


Last week, the Ministry of Health gazetted (passed into regulation) a class exemption for horticulture workers between Pukekohe and surrounding areas. 

The gazette notice exempts ‘Horticultural workers involved in the production, processing, transport and supply of fresh produce between Pukekohe and the surrounding areas’.

With the Level 3 lockdown now continuing for the Auckland region until 11:59pm on Sunday 30 August, it is recommended that essential horticulture workers continue to carry three pieces of documentation to show NZ Police at the border:

    1.  The gazette notice – Click here to download
    2.  The letter from the Ministry of Health – Click here to download
    3.  A Movement Declaration Form, filled in for your workplace – Click here to download.

Please note that freight should be able to travel freely in and out of Auckland.  However, NZ Police is requiring documentation. 
Click here to view HortNZ's COVID-19 information

HortNZ in the media:


Growers caught in no man's land NZ Farmers Weekly
"HortNZ chief executive Mike Chapman said prospects for any major shift in defining the boundary looked unlikely, but not through lack of trying. “We have been incredibly active in trying to resolve this problem. We suggested a new boundary, and (while) it was considered (it) was also rejected.” Meantime, HortNZ is working with the Government to try and make passage for essential produce workers faster and more seamless..."

Exemption at Auckland border for horticulture a relief for frustrated growers 1News
"...Mike Chapman said he’s working closely with the Ministry of Primary Industries as well as the Ministry of Health, which is overseeing the lockdown. But he has had to make it very clear just how important this Pukekohe engine room is. Supplying a third of the country, they are planting what’s going to be on the plates of New Zealanders in a few months’ time..."

Greengrocers tell Govt they need to open, safely equipped RNZ
"Greengrocers and independent retailers are still calling on the Government to let them open under the Alert Level 3, for Covid-19, restrictions saying they are well equipped to operate safely. Mike Chapman, CEO of Horticulture New Zealand says the Government have not yet responded to a letter from growers sent at the beginning of lock-down asking the government to let them stay open in Auckland..."

Industry

Farm Environment Plans at a glance 

 

Farm Environment Plans (FEPs) are now recognised in legislation as a way for growers to assess their environmental risks, take action where required, and demonstrate progress on environmental objectives. 

The objective of FEPs is to minimise the impact of horticulture and farming on the ecological health and amenity value of New Zealand’s waterways. In addition to farm maps, an FEP includes the following management areas:
In the near future, agricultural emissions (e.g. nitrous oxide from fertiliser use) are also likely to be included in FEPs to support growers with meeting the Zero Carbon Act 2019 and He Waka Eke Noa (a primary sector partnership to reduce on-farm agricultural emissions).
Click here to read the article

RSE update 


The Government has extended the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme (RSE) visas by six months. While it will keep workers lawful in New Zealand, in order to continue working, they will still need to have a valid offer of employment. As such, RSE employers will still be required to submit ATR and VOC/visa applications to extend the work rights of these workers.

The extension to visas has taken effect from 18 August 2020 and applies to all RSE workers who are holding an RSE Limited Visa and this visa is expiring between 18 August and 31 December 2020. Please note the six month extension is from the date of the current expiration date on an individual’s visa. This means you will still have workers with staggered expiration dates if that is what you currently have.
Click here to read the Q&A from Immigration New Zealand

Work the Seasons RSE page now live


The Work the Seasons website now has a new page for employers to use to find and redeploy RSE workers:  https://worktheseasons.co.nz/rse-redeployment

The website now has the availability of Employer to Employer private chat. Click here for details on how to use the chat function.

Fruit & Vegetables in Schools acknowledged globally


The United Nations and World Health Organisation have recognised the 5+ A Day Fruit & Vegetables in Schools initiative as a world-class, innovative response to food shortages.  The initiative distributes more than 26 million servings of fruit and vegetables every year.

Click here to read more.

HortNZ

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

2020 HortNZ Director Elections - have you voted?


Eligible growers have just over a week to vote in the 2020 Horticulture New Zealand director elections. Eligible grower members will have received voting packs either electronically or via the post.

There are six candidates standing for the three vacancies. You can read their profiles and view the candidate campaign video here
 
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 is being run by independent election management company electionz. If you have not received your voting packs please call the Election Helpline 0800 666 040.
 
Voting will close at 12noon on Wednesday 9 September 2020 (the last day for posting voting papers so that they reach the returning officer by the close of voting is Thursday 3 September 2020). The results will be announced at the HortNZ AGM on Friday 25 September 2020. 

Our industry the media:

Copyright © 2020 HortNZ, All rights reserved.


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