Government steps up to support growers

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) welcomes the Government’s proposal to recognise the national importance of vegetables and enable water storage and managed aquifer recharge.

HortNZ Chief Executive Kate Scott says the Government’s policy will support New Zealander’s access to locally grown fresh produce.

“These proposals would offer some relief for commercial vegetable growers who have been living with uncertainty and unworkable rules, allowing them to continue providing the healthy food we need.”

“The Government’s proposed changes to freshwater rules would provide for crop rotation and signals a future without resource consents for commercial vegetable growing. This will give growers confidence for the future,” says Ms Scott.

The Government is also proposing to remove regulatory blocks for creating water storage.

“Reducing the consenting burden for water storage and managed aquifer recharge will be welcomed by growers, who rely on the reliable and efficient use of water for horticultural production. Water storage will help us meet our industry’s target to double export value.  

“Water storage also supports increased climate resilience as growing regions face longer and more frequent drought conditions. Water storage allows growers to hold onto water when there’s more than enough in the rainy parts of the year to use later when the weather is dry, like putting away savings for a day when you need it,” says Ms Scott.

The changes to the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land will help balance our country’s ability to grow food with our need for housing.

“To make the most productive use of New Zealand’s best soils, we need to enable high-value, low emissions food production the land that is best suited to feed New Zealand and the world.”

“With the proposed introduction of “special agricultural areas”, we seek that the Government recognises that productive land is only productive if policy enables growers to grow on it. Horticultural hubs are regionally or nationally significant because of their climate and established supporting infrastructure for growing, not just soil type.”

“The Government has listened to growers’ concerns and these proposals will help ensure that growing food in the right places remains possible -- without compromising environmental outcomes,” says Ms Scott.

HortNZ will be working through the details of the package of reforms announced today and taking part in the consultation process.