Damien O’Connor Criticises Budget 2026 as ‘Miserable’ for Rural New Zealand
A miserable budget that didn’t deliver much for anyone.
“We’re focused on long-term strategies that build on the yearon- year record revenue earned by our farmers and growers,” claims Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.
Last year, NZ’s primary sector export revenue was $53 billion, with horticulture contributing $6.7 billion. In 2023, horticulture exports are expected to hit a record $7.1 billion.
“The new Horticulture - Growing Together 2035 - Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan Strategy set outs the pathway to achieve what is an ambitious and achievable goal,” O’Connor said at the reports launch.
“Consumers here and around the world continue to demand high quality and nutritious fresh fruit and vegetables to boost their wellbeing. Food security is a growing issue globally and we want to ensure New Zealanders have access to affordable food.”
O’Connor says the Growing Together 2035 Strategy’s vision is that New Zealand is synonymous with worldleading healthy produce, which is grown with care for people and place, and is enjoyed by consumers around the world.
“New Zealand has worked hard to build an excellent brand for quality. We’re fortunate to have one of the best climates and some of the most fertile soil in the world providing the right foundations to grow world-class produce.”
The Strategy focuses on five outcomes:
- Grow sustainably
- Optimise value
- Māori are strong in horticulture
- Action underpinned by science and knowledge
- Nurture people.
Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Nadine Tunley said the plan deliberately focuses on outcomes and actions across the value chain where partners can collaborate to generate the most benefits.
“Its outcomes are supported by a series of actions that will work together to grow the overall sustainability and value of NZ’s horticulture sector,” she explained.
Tunley added the actions range from identifying energy-intensive areas of the horticulture value chain and supporting conversion to systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions; to improving crop management and protection, developing pathways to increase Māori participation, increasing capability; and better understanding consumer needs and channels to market.
She says during this year, the action plan will be driven forward by a dedicated programme manager who will find opportunities to existing work and bring partners together to develop new projects.
O’Connor says the Growing Together 2035 Strategy aligns with the Government and sector roadmap, Fit for a Better World and the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land, and builds on the sector’s Horticulture Post-Covid Recovery Strategy.
