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.
Horticulture NZ says evidence from nine experts supports its position that a water conservation order (WCO) is not the way to ensure healthy Hawke’s Bay rivers.
Horticulture New Zealand opposes the application for the WCO in the Lower Ngaruroro River and the Clive River.
Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman says the order will impact the economy and food supply.
“A WCO is a blunt instrument that has been surpassed with better national and regional planning tools," Chapman says.
"The Hawke’s Bay area is unique in New Zealand for growing fruit and vegetables for both export and domestic markets, as well as for processing. Horticulture plays a very significant role in Hawke’s Bay, and the economic activity generated results in positive social effects for the community, through employment, as well as through secondary industries such as Heinz Watties and McCains.
"For horticulture to thrive, and to continue its significant contribution to this region and the New Zealand economy, it is important for plans and policies to provide flexibility when it comes to water allocation. This is so that growers can adapt to cope with changes in water demand from factors such as climate change, the preferences of food consumers both internationally and at home, growing conditions, and biosecurity issues.
"We believe that flexibility comes from existing planning tools such as the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management and regional plans. Growers understand the need to grow within environmental limits and have been working closely on regional planning with the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council for years. In producing healthy food, it is imperative to demonstrate environmental values, as that is what consumers are demanding.
"HortNZ’s view is that the WCO is outdated, has a narrow focus, creates uncertainty and complexity, and does not provide for the future growing and processing of healthy food. We believe the existing regional planning process can provide for the recreational and ecological values that the WCO applicants seek, but in a way that provides greater flexibility for other values, such as food supply and employment in the region.
"Last week, we provided our evidence to the Environmental Protection Authority, along with testimony from nine experts in planning, recreation and tourism, agriculture and resource economics, and ecology, as well as from growers and water users with years of experience in the region."
About 12,000 hectares of fruit production sits within Hawke’s Bay and nearly 9000 hectares of vegetable production. Fruit includes apples, peaches, nectarines, kiwifruit, pears, plums, apricots and cherries. Vegetables include squash, peas, sweet corn, onions, potatoes, green beans, pumpkin, and asparagus. It is also one of New Zealand’s most important wine grape growing regions.
In 2017, Statistics New Zealand reported that the total GDP of the Hawke’s Bay region was $7.4 billion. Of that, the output of irrigated horticulture within the area defined by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council as TANK (Tutaekuri, Ahuriri, Ngaruroro and Karamū rivers) is 10.3 % of Hawke’s Bay’s GDP.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…