Tunley's parting message - work together

That’s the parting message from Nadine Tunley, who is stepping down as HortNZ chief executive on August 30 after more than three years in the role.

In an email to HortNZ members, Tunley noted that as a collective, growers have so much more to offer New Zealand and the global food system.

“Take your place in the food and fibre sector – it is well earned,” she says.

A thriving horticulture sector is so important - not just to the New Zealand economy but, more importantly, to the health of the nation. Fresh fruit and vegetables are essential nutrition - without a healthy horticulture sector the health of the country would suffer.

Tunley adds that providing health and nutrition to New Zealand and the Pacific builds the platform for all primary sector exports to stand on when the sector sells its products to the world – showing international consumers that they’re not just looking after the markets but their own people too.

“HortNZ has spearheaded the sector’s advocacy and I’m proud of the valuable contribution the team has made fighting for the interests of growers.

“As an industry group, we have to work within a central government framework that is often rigid. Our role in discussions with Ministers and officials is to do what's best for growers. We hear from you; we know what issues are important to you.

“We may not always be successful in securing the ultimate outcome for growers – we don’t have ultimate power after all - but the team works tirelessly for the best outcomes that we can possibly achieve. I know that this is what drives them and they work constantly behind the scenes for the good of the sector.”

Never has that been more evident than the days and weeks following Cyclone Gabrielle, she notes.

“We needed to be creative and worked closely with the government of the day, sometimes thumping the table and other times listening.”

Tunley will depart after the HortNZ conference in Tauranga from August 28-30.

“As I prepare to finish up in this role, I see some ongoing challenges facing the sector and that’s why HortNZ has set three top priorities - water, climate change and adaptation, and food security and supply,” she says.

“Water is a critical resource for growing. Growers need certainty over water supply if they are to invest and increase production. The team are advocating strongly for policy settings that support expansion of, and investment in, water storage.

“Across the globe and in New Zealand, the notion of food security has become increasingly important.

“We are advocating for policy and regulatory settings that enable growers to provide a reliable and resilient supply of fresh fruit and vegetables and contribute positively to New Zealand’s food security, health and our and economy.

“HortNZ is working on growers’ behalf to find more efficient ways of doing things and to share best practice to reduce their costs. And we are focused on boosting horticulture’s social licence to operate.”