James Blair Named 2026 Young Grower National Champion
James Blair, an agronomist for AS Wilcox and the Pukekohe regional champion, has won the 2026 Young Grower national title.
Otherwise, it becomes impossible for horticulture to operate because of complaints from immediate neighbours about spray, odour or noise — all legitimate aspects of horticultural operations and the rural environment.
HortNZ has submitted in detail on the issue – known as ‘reverse sensitivity’ – to the Auckland Council on the Pukekohe Paerata Structure Plan.
Chapman told Rural News they still hold the basic premise that “urbanisation of highly quality land for growing vegetables and fruit isn’t smart”.
Pukekohe has some of the best-growing soils in New Zealand and the industry is concerned about any further urbanisation.
But there is a “reluctant degree of acceptance” about this in respect to further housing development.
Chapman says it is crucial that Hort NZ’s proposed ‘setbacks and buffer strips’ be put in place in development plans and that they be properly enforced.
“We are not black-and-white; we understand there has to be some grey,” he says. “But if you are going to expand by putting housing and subdivisions around high-quality land you need to protect that high-quality land from the houses.
“If [a grower has] a house right on the boundary it is going to be very difficult to do any growing. So you need those strips.”
HortNZ wants assurance that buffer zones are in development plans and that those are enforced.
In its submission to the Pukekohe Paerata Structure Plan HortNZ says it acknowledges that the Auckland Unitary Plan has good foundations including the intention to manage ‘reverse sensitivity’.
“However, HortNZ purports that the operative provisions are not sufficient to adequately manage the new rural-urban interface. The objectives and policies of the rural zones provide strong direction for protecting soils and rural production activities from the adverse effects of subdivision, use and development, including reverse sensitivity.
“However, the unitary plan is distinctly lacking in a framework to support those areas where urban development immediately adjoins rural zoned land.
“This is a fundamental flaw given the anticipated expansion of the rural-urban boundary to accommodate future urban growth.”
