Horticulture in New Zealand has real momentum

Demand for our fresh produce remains strong in key markets, export forecasts continue to rise and growers across the country are investing, innovating and backing themselves for the future.

According to the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report, export revenue for horticulture is projected to grow again this year, with the likes of kiwifruit and apples both making strong contributions to overall performance.

There is plenty to be optimistic about. But optimism alone won’t carry us through the challenges ahead.

Growers know better than most that the pressures we face -- from climate volatility and biosecurity threats to workforce constraints, water scarcity and rising input costs --demand a practical roadmap if we are to remain profitable.

That is exactly what the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan (AHAP) is designed to do.

AHAP is the sector’s guiding compass. Developed collaboratively with input from industry, government, Māori and science partners, it sets a shared direction to double the farmgate value of horticulture by 2035, while strengthening prosperity for our people and protecting the environment that underpins everything we do.

The ambition challenges us. But this year, in 2026, what matters most is delivery.

AHAP is no longer just a strategy document. Partners are firmly in implementation mode, with the Phase One Implementation Roadmap (2025-2027) now being rolled out.

Practical steps are being taken across the sector to tackle the issues growers care about most -- from workforce and water to crop protection and market access.

One clear example of AHAP-aligned work already happening relates to water and productive land use.

Recent government proposals, supported by HortNZ, enable water storage and managed aquifer recharge, addressing long-standing uncertainty and regulatory complexity for commercial growers.

These changes, if progressed, would give growers greater confidence to invest, while also boosting climate resilience through better water security.

Another tangible example is the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) investment in Māori horticulture developments, which aligns with AHAP’s focus on a more inclusive, prosperous sector.

New Zealand is unlocking productive use of underutilised Māori-owned whenua in Northland and Waikato, supporting irrigation, drainage, infrastructure and orchard establishment.

These projects demonstrate how investment partnerships can bring whenua into production, support local employment and broaden horticulture participation for generations to come.

What does this mean on the orchard or in the field?

For many growers, the value of AHAP will be felt through improved planning certainty, better access to essential resources like water and stronger support for workforce development.

Work underway to enhance labour settings and grow skills reflects long-standing industry priorities, including co-ordinated efforts to attract and retain both seasonal and permanent workers.

Growers are also seeing progress in market access and export readiness, with negotiations such as the recently concluded NZ-India Free Trade Agreement opening new opportunities for the sector.

On sustainability, AHAP encourages uptake of practical tools and approaches that help growers manage emissions and adapt to a changing climate in ways that still make sense for their bottom line.

That’s essential, because strong export numbers don’t always translate into improved profitability at the farmgate unless growers can manage costs and risks effectively.

One of AHAP’s strengths is that it recognises the diversity of horticulture - from large operations to small, from mainstream crops to emerging product groups, and from Māori-owned whenua to young growers shaping the future of our sector.

The sector’s collaborative approach was evident at last year’s Horticulture Conference, where more than 800 growers and partners gathered to focus on the roadmap ahead.

The message was clear: the plan is only as strong as the commitment growers and partners put into it.

I believe horticulture’s future will be built not by ambition alone, but by practical action, delivered together.

AHAP is helping turn that ambition into tangible support - tools and outcomes that help growers make better decisions, manage risk and grow profitability sustainably.

If the past 12 months has shown us anything, it is that when growers, partners and policymakers work in sync, we can build a sector that not only reaches for its goals but delivers real value for every grower along the way.