Early drought conditions emerging in Hawke’s Bay as rainfall drops
As you approach Hastings from the south along SH2, the colour of the west-facing hills are a good indicator of a drought.
Addressing a group of growers and stakeholders in Hawke’s Bay on Thursday night, chief executive of Organics Aotearoa NZ (OANZ), Brendan Hoare, says there had never been a better time to realise New Zealand’s organic opportunity.
“The findings of our 2016 Organic Market Report clearly show that consumer demand for organics both here and overseas continues to grow,” he says.
“New Zealand still has enough of a clean, green reputation to capitalise on that demand. But organics aren’t just about products; they’re about properties too, and how those properties’ natural assets – and so the natural assets of the wider district – can be protected.
“Organic land management practices can go a long way towards assisting with that.”
Hoare says increased organic production in Hawke’s Bay sits naturally alongside the local and regional food emphasis in the region’s “Great Things Grow Here” initiative.
“Certified organic products with their proven consumer assurance systems help prove the authenticity of that claim to the market,” he says.
“Hawke’s Bay has already demonstrated its commitment to remaining GE-free. By encouraging organic land management and production, this region could become a national leader in sustainability.”
The Hawke’s Bay visit by OANZ representatives will continue on Friday with field trips to local producers.
The event was hosted by Bostocks NZ, True Earth, Villa Maria NZ, Chantal Organics and supported by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Great Things Grow Here.
