Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) is an industry association representing New Zealand's 5,500 commercial fruit, vegetable, berryfruit and olive growers.
New Zealand horticulture is a $5 billion industry; New Zealand's sixth largest, exporting 60% of production with a total value of $2.23 billion to more than 110 countries.
The industry has a reputation for innovation, quality, early adoption of new technology and smart response to market demand. The industry has a production area of more than 100,000 hectares. Major exports include kiwifruit, apples, avocados, onions, kabocha (pumpkin squash), processed vegetables and potatoes. Citrus, berryfruit and olive oil are developing export products.
HortNZ monitors changes in Government policy on behalf of our members, promotes the development of the horticulture industry, makes submissions to central and regional government, gives policy advice and aims to influence change for the benefit of growers.
HortNZ publishes industry magazines "The Orchardist" and "Grower" and runs New Zealand GAP, a quality assurance programme benchmarked to GLOBALGAP.
The range of issues HortNZ works on for growers includes resource management legislation, biosecurity protection, seasonal and skilled labour recruitment, environmental policies and industry education and training. We also provide information and support to Government agencies to gain better market access for horticulture product and remove barriers to export development.
There are 22 'product groups' affiliated to HortNZ. These are: pipfruit, kiwifruit, summerfruit, nashi, citrus, tamarillos, feijoas, avocados, boysenberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, kiwiberries, olives, passionfruit, persimmons, tomatoes, Vegetables New Zealand, potatoes, kabocha (pumpkin squash), processed vegetables and asparagus.
HortNZ is funded by growers via a levy on sales, is governed by a board of eight, all of whom are growers and operates with a staff of 20 based in New Zealand's capital, Wellington.
