Thank you, growers, for your resilience, hard work and commitment

As we head into summer and the festive season, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on the year that’s been and to acknowledge the incredible people who keep New Zealand’s horticulture sector thriving.

In my travels across the country this year, I’ve met growers who are clearly passionate about producing high-quality food while navigating a complex operating environment.

Whether it’s apples in Hawke’s Bay, onions in Pukekohe or leafy greens in Horowhenua, what’s clear is that our growers are committed to feeding Kiwis and the world.

Our sector is at a critical point. Growers continue to face regulatory pressures, weather-related challenges, rising costs and variable profitability.

Yet despite everything, they keep adapting and innovating, investing in sustainable practices, developing new technologies and working together to build a stronger, more resilient industry.

At HortNZ, our focus this year has been on ensuring growers’ voices are heard where it matters most -- at the decision-making table.

We’ve pushed hard for practical policy settings that enable growers to succeed, especially in the area of resource management, and will continue to focus on ensuring certainty for growers into 2026..

It’s important that any approach recognises that growers are already taking action to protect the environment. Ultimately, growers need certainty for the future.

We’ve also continued to advocate strongly for the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

Growers take their responsibilities to Pacific workers seriously, but need certainty that the Government will complete the review of the scheme to ensure the overall RSE settings provide good outcomes for employees, for growers and for the Pacific.

Water, as always, remains front of mind. Without reliable access to water, our fruit and vegetables cannot grow.

That’s why we’ve welcomed proactive thinking, such as new water storage options for the Heretaunga Plains. A national water strategy that balances environmental sustainability with food production is long overdue.

This year also reminded us how vulnerable our industry can be. The detection of a fruit fly and yellow-legged hornets, both in Auckland, is a reminder of the biosecurity threats that could so easily disrupt our growing systems.

It underlines the importance of strong biosecurity systems and a rapid response.

And in July, severe flooding across Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough once again tested growers’ resilience.

Orchards, vineyards and market gardens were hit hard, with damage to crops, homes and infrastructure.

The way local growers and communities rallied together was again inspiring.  HortNZ and the Government jointly contributed funding to help with immediate recovery and co-ordination efforts. 

Despite the challenges that 2025 threw us, there’s much to celebrate.

Horticulture continues to be a powerhouse of New Zealand’s economy, with export revenue forecast to reach record levels.

Domestically, the summer season is a reminder of what our growers deliver every day.

From cherries and strawberries to lettuces, potatoes and sweetcorn, the amazing range of fresh fruit and vegetables on Kiwi tables this Christmas is thanks to the hard work of thousands of people across the country.

As we look ahead to 2026, HortNZ remains focused on ensuring growers have the tools, resources and policy settings they need to thrive.

To all our growers, thank you for your resilience, hard work and commitment.

Merry Christmas -- here’s to a productive and positive year ahead.