HortNZ opens 2026 scholarship applications
Applications are open for Horticulture New Zealand's (HortNZ) 2026 scholarship programme, with 20 funding opportunities available.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
Nine candidates are standing to fill three vacancies on the HortNZ board: Simon Cook, Shane Flynn, Tom Keefe, Dermott Malley, Lochie McNally, John Murphy, Carol Palmer, Erin Simpson, and Shaun Vickers.
HortNZ board chair Bernadine Guilleux says it is getting close to the final day of voting and encourages any eligible growers who haven't cast their vote and want to take part to do so.
"This is an opportunity for growers to have a say in who will be making key decisions that shape the future of our sector," Guilleux says.
"Ensuring a broad range of skills and experience around the board table is also critical to HortNZ continuing to deliver strong effective advocacy and helping ensure a sustainable future for the sector," she adds.
“That includes experience in the areas of finance, biosecurity and risk management, science and innovation, education and Te Ao Māori.
“We’re motivated by the strong level of interest we’ve received for the three positions available on the board. Ongoing succession at the governance level is crucial to an effective, united pan-sector voice to Government.”
Voting closes at 12 noon on Thursday 10 July. For more information on each candidate, including profiles, declarations of interest and candidate videos, please visit www.hortnz.co.nz.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.

OPINION: Every time politicians come up with an investment scheme where they're going to have a crack at 'picking winners'…
OPINION: What are the unions for these days?