Environment Canterbury urges buyers to check wastewater systems on rural properties
Buying or building a rural or semi-rural property? Make sure you know where the wastewater goes, says Environment Canterbury.
Priority access to water heads the NZ Plant Producers (NZPP) election manifesto released today.
The peak industry body for plant producers and their industry partners represents more than 100 plant producers and businesses in New Zealand.
The organisation produces plants for a diverse range of purposes, including food for local eating and exports, regenerating New Zealand’s forests, and urban and domestic planting.
The first point in NZPP’s election manifesto is guaranteeing priority access to water for plant producers.
“Primary industries rely on our production, and many families need our plants for food and wellbeing. Access to water is critical to Government plans for more horticulture, forests, and greener living spaces,” it says in the manifesto.
“We support DairyNZ, NZ Beef & Lamb and Horticulture New Zealand’s request for, and assessment of, New Zealand’s water infrastructure and investment in viable water capture and storage.”
NZPP wants an independent assessment of New Zealand’s water infrastructure to ensure it is able to fulfil future needs and to identify regions at risk of water shortages.
“A National Water Strategy, backed by credible investment, is needed to guarantee a reliable supply of water,” it says.
NZPP’s eight points are:
1. Plant producers must get priority access to water
2. New Zealand needs access to the World’s best plant varieties
3. The RSE scheme must be expanded with access to key workers from overseas
4. The Review of Vocational Education must be prioritised
5. Regulation and legislation must be reviewed and rationalised
6. Biosecurity must be strengthened and supported
7. Investment in planting must be targeted at our most efficient producers
8. New Zealanders deserve more green spaces in our urban areas
New Zealand potato growers are prioritising value creation from high yields to meet a complex mix of challenges and opportunities, says Potatoes NZ chief executive Kate Trufitt.
A Hawke's Bay apple orchardist supports the Government's objective of doubling exports but says this won't happen in the horticulture sector unless there's a change in the process for bringing new plant material into the country.
Canterbury arable farmers are down by tens of millions of dollars after a rollercoaster of wild changeable January weather saw harvests delayed and some crops destroyed by violent hailstorms.
Could a breakthrough in fermentation create a new multi-million-dollar export market for shiitake mushroom extracts into China?
Meadow Fresh has created the world's first fantasy sports league powered by real cows.
This year, 'Foodie February' sees potatoes take the spotlight as one of New Zealand's most powerful and versatile food heroes.

OPINION: Meanwhile, red blooded Northland politician Matua Shane Jones has provided one of the most telling quotes of the year…
OPINION: This old mutt has been around for a few years now and it seems these ‘once in 100-year’ weather…