Monday, 19 September 2022 11:20

National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land critical - HortNZ

Written by  Staff Reporters
HortNZ says a new National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land provides protection for New Zealand's productive land and soil. HortNZ says a new National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land provides protection for New Zealand's productive land and soil.

The National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land will provide protection for New Zealand’s best land and soil so it can be used to produce food, says HortNZ.

The statement (NPS-HPL) was announced yesterday in a move the Government says will enhance production for the country’s most productive land, providing security for New Zealand’s domestic food supply and primary exports.

“The National Policy Statement will greatly improve how we protect highly-productive land from inappropriate subdivision, use and development,” said Environment Minister David Parker.

“We need to house our people and to feed them too. Our cities and towns need to grow but not at the expense of the land that’s best suited to grow our food.”

“The NPS-HPL will help protect our best growing areas so Kiwis continue to have access to leafy greens and other healthy foods.

“Councils will be required to identify, map and manage highly productive land to ensure it’s available for growing vegetables, fruit and other primary production, now and into the future.”

HortNZ chief executive Nadine Tunley says the Covid pandemic showed that New Zealand wouldn’t always have NZ-grown vegetables and fruit on retailers’ shelves.

“HortNZ has advocated for nearly a decade for government policy that recognizes the importance of our best soils, and ensures that they are prioritized for what they are best for – producing healthy vegetables and fruit,” she says.

“All along, we have said that with good planning, New Zealand can have fresh vegetables and fruit, and houses.”

Tunley says HortNZ will continue its advocacy to ensure that growers can sustainably and profitably use highly productive land.

“Our fight will go on. It’s no use protecting our best land if growers cannot get access to inputs like freshwater, are bogged down with compliance, and can’t afford fertilizer or to transport their produce.

“At the same time, growers need to know they have a skillful and reliable workforce to plant, pick and pack. We also need to ensure that growers can afford to invest in new growing methods, in response to climate change.

“Growers only need ongoing issues in one of these areas for their viability to be compromised, which could mean vegetables and fruit cannot be sustainably grown in New Zealand in the future.”

More like this

Bridging the gap with rural New Zealand

OPINION: One thing I keep hearing from rural New Zealanders is the importance of relationships. Strong relationships don’t just happen - they take trust, consistency, and time.

NZ growers lead freshwater compliance

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that commercial fruit and vegetable growers are getting ahead of freshwater farm plan regulations through its Growing Change project.

Featured

LIC Space folds for good

Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.

Editorial: Time for common sense

OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).

National

Machinery & Products

Yamaha acquires Robotics Plus

New Zealand based company Robotics Plus, a specialist in agricultural automation, has announced an agreement for it to be acquired…

Ecorobotix announces NZ dealership

Swiss-based Ecorobotix has announced its entry into the New Zealand market through a strategic partnership with Canterbury-based New Zealand Tractors.

Sorting unwashed potatoes made easy

Downs, a leader in potato reception, automated sorting, and storage, has introduced its new high-throughput optical sorter for unwashed potatoes…

Jumbo X saves time and money

A winner of a prestigious ‘Technical Innovations 2024’ award by FederUnacoma at the EIMA show in Italy, the Maschio Jumbo…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Are they serious?

OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…

A hurry up!

OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter