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Seasonal workers
Yesterday, the Government announced some more Pacific worker movement. On behalf of the industry collective, HortNZ is now running a survey of RSE employers to work out allocations for the flights. If you are an RSE employer and you have not received the survey, please email Bobby Hall at Bobby.Hall@hortnz.co.nz. Click here to read the media release.
Many workers’ visas are expiring in June. For the RSE workers who came after Christmas 2020, their visas expire later this year. The industry collective will be seeking visa extensions for all workers stranded in New Zealand, who want to remain and work.
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Heather Feetham wins Pukekohe Young Grower
Heather Feetham, a 25-year-old production manager at T&G Fresh, won the 2021 Pukekohe Young Grower competition.
"When they called my name saying that I had won, I was really shocked and proud," says Heather. "The fact that I'm the first women to have won the Pukekohe competition is an added bonus.
"Today's competition was fierce - I definitely want to credit the other contestants. The other competitors were outstanding, and I was up against some really tough competition. Today was fantastic, it was really fun, and I learnt a lot throughout all the modules.
"I’m excited about the finals. It’s going to take a lot of prep to get myself ready for it, but I will try and make the Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association proud and represent the region well."
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Fair Pay Agreements
The Government announced it was going back to its plan to make Fair Pay Agreements law late last week. New Zealand First had blocked this happening when they were part of the Government last term, following the advocacy from many groups including BusinessNZ and HortNZ. Our submission last time pointed out that there are significant problems with planned Fair Pay Agreements.
The details released by the Government provide for compulsory, nation-wide pay agreements to be introduced next year, along with financial support for the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) and BusinessNZ to coordinate them. Notably, BusinessNZ has come out in opposition to the proposal.
HortNZ will examine the proposal in detail and will be submitting on it. Further information will be provided as our work progresses.
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HortNZ in the media
RSE announcement
Extra MIQ spaces a boost for agriculture sector, but growers say cost to employers 'too high' Newshub
While an announcement to allow more than 2000 seasonal workers to enter the country in time for next year's harvest season has been welcomed by the horticulture industry, the sector says the cost to growers and employers is simply 'too high'.
Immigration review
Primary sector wary of immigration review Farmers Weekly
HortNZ chief executive Mike Chapman says it is reassuring Government remains committed to the RSE scheme, but the organisation would be re-submitting to the commission about how critical the scheme is.
New HortNZ CE
Horticulture New Zealand announces Nadine Tunley as new Chief Executive Newshub
Horticulture New Zealand announced a new chief executive on Tuesday, with Nadine Tunley stepping into the position.
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Cental Otago Young Grower event on 21 May
The Central Otago Young Grower competition is next Friday 21 May. The competition will see seven young growers put their knowledge and skills to the test with a series of business and practical activities.
The activities will start at 11.30am and take place in Cromwell at the Central Otago Campus, Horticulture Training Facility, at 25 Bannockburn Road. All are welcome to come along and support the contestants as they complete their activities.
The awards dinner will be at The Moorings, 12-23 Perriam Place, Cromwell. Doors will open for pre-dinner drinks at 6pm. To purchase tickets, please email Mariette Morkel at mariette.morkel@horticentre.co.nz. There are limited tickets, so get in quick!
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Tickets available for Hawkes Bay Young
Fruit Grower
The Hawkes Bay Young Fruit Grower competition is being held on 3-4 June. This year, there are eight contestants taking part from across the Bay. The high calibre of applications means that the event looks set to be an exciting competition.
The practical component of the competition will be held on 3 June at the Tomoana Showgrounds in conjunction with the National Horticulture Fieldays. Come along during the day and encourage these young growers.
The Awards Dinner will be held on 4 June at the Toitoi Arts and Events Centre. There are only two weeks left to get tickets for the Awards Dinner, so email yfoty@hbfa.co.nz to secure your seats or table now.
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Voting open for HortNZ Board of Directors Election 2021
Five candidates are standing for the two vacancies on the Horticulture New Zealand Board of Directors. The candidates are Bernadine Guilleux, Brydon Nisbet, Liarna White, Mike Pretty and Paula Kearns.
Voting will close at 12 noon on Tuesday 25 May 2021 and the results will be published the following week in this newsletter. If you have not received an email or voting pack, please call the Election Helpline 0800 666 043.
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Increase mental fitness at the Horticulture Conference 2021
Growers are in an industry where so much is out of their control. For example, the weather, availability of labour, price paid for produce, and if the tractor’s got a flat tyre this morning.
Jimi Hunt specialises in mental fitness, and is speaking at the Horticulture Conference 2021: Resilience and Recovery.
‘Resilience is such a buzz word but there is a big difference between resilience and mental fitness,’ says Jimi. ‘Resilience is about being tough, being able to be punched, knocked down and able to get back up again. But I am not a fan of being punched. That is where mental fitness comes in.
‘With mental fitness, you learn to see the punches coming a mile off and like Muhammad Ali, learn to dodge them so you are not there when they land. But you have to learn those skills. You can’t just get in the boxing ring and suddenly start dodging every punch.
‘It’s the same with mental fitness. There are some crucial, practical steps to understand before you even start on your mental fitness journey.’
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2021 Horticulture Industry Awards
HortNZ is calling for nominations for its 2021 Horticulture Industry Awards to be presented at the Horticulture Conference Gala Dinner on 5 August at Mystery Creek. There are five awards:
- Bledisloe Cup – awarded for outstanding and meritorious contribution to the New Zealand horticulture industry.
- President's Trophy – awarded for inspiring leadership within the horticulture industry
- Industry Service Award – to recognise people with long and dedicated service
- Environmental Award – for a person or organisation focussed on a sustainable environment project
- HortNZ Life Member.
A full description and criteria for these awards can be found by clicking below. Nominations close at 5pm on Tuesday 8 June.
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Wetlands definition submission
The Ministry for the Environment, (MfE) as part of the Essential Freshwater reforms, has prepared an initial draft guidance on the definition of ‘natural wetlands.’ This definition applies to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) and the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020 (NES-FW). The interpretation of the definition will influence how rules, including those relating to setbacks, will apply.
HortNZ’s submission supports clarification around the exclusion of constructed wetlands and recommends further clarification on differentiating between constructed wetlands. A further draft guidance document will be released at end of May 2021.
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Covered crop energy workshops
Tomato and vegetable covered crop growers are invited to attend a half-day workshop on energy. The workshops will give growers the latest energy information and provide a chance to answer questions.
Presenters include Elly Nederhoff (Greenhouse Specialist), Bioenergy Association, and EECA (Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority). Topics covered will include:
- Energy efficiency measures for greenhouse growers
- Low carbon greenhouse heating technologies
- Sustainable heating from biomass and crop waste
- EECA industry decarbonisation plan, case study learnings and support
South Island: Wednesday 12 May 2021, 9.30am-1.30pm
Airforce Museum, Brevet Lounge, 45 Harvard Ave, Wigram, Christchurch
North Island: Tuesday 18 May 2021, 9.30am-1.30pm
Franklin Centre, Leslie Comrie & Douglas Wright Rooms, 10 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe
Please confirm your attendance with Jacqui Stalknecht at jacqui.stalknecht@hortnz.co.nz or call 04 494 9978.
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Design guide for kiwifruit orchards with Transpower Transmission Lines
Transpower, NZKGI and HortNZ have worked together to develop a guide to assist growers to safely develop kiwifruit orchards around Transpower transmission lines. The guidance may also be useful to any grower wanting to build crop structures around transmission lines.
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Drought funding available
The Government has announced it will expand its drought support to new parts of the country and continue helping farmers in areas facing long-term dry conditions.
An extra $900,000 has been allocated to help farmers, with the current large-scale adverse event expanded to include Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury, and Otago.
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