Horticulture roadmap aims to double farmgate returns by 2035
The Government and horticulture sector have unveiled a new roadmap with an aim to double horticulture farmgate returns by 2035.
More Māori land is being used for growing commercial fruit and vegetables, according to a new report commissioned by Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).
The Snapshot of Māori in horticulture 2024 research found the gross output from Māori horticulture during 2024 was $305 million, up from $220.5 million in 2019.
While horticulture currently comprises just over one per cent - 5,715 hectares - of Māori farmland, this is growing steadily.
The amount of Māori land in horticulture has increased by 50.4% since 2017 and now represents about 7% of total fruit and vegetables land in New Zealand.
Kate Scott, chief executive of HortNZ, says this figure is notable, given that overall, there has been a decline in the amount of land in horticulture.
"One of the key priorities in the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan is increasing Māori-owned land in high value horticulture, so it is heartening to see the data trending in this direction.
"While horticulture currently comprises a small proportion of Māori land use, Māori involvement in horticulture is diverse and expanding, from Māori individuals and businesses to iwi and their commercial arms."
Fonterra has unveiled the first refrigerated electric truck to deliver dairy products across Auckland.
Research and healthcare initiatives, leadership and dedication to the sector have been recognised in the 2025 Horticulture Industry Awards.
Virtual fencing and pasture management company Halter says its NZ operations has delivered a profit of $2.8 million after exclusion of notional items.
Manuka honey trader Comvita slumped to a $104 million net loss last financial year, reflecting prolonged market disruption, oversupply and pricing volatility.
The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.