HortNZ marks World Food Day with call to action

As countries around the globe celebrate World Food Day today (16 October), Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) is redoubling its calls for vegetable growing to become a permitted activity.

“World Food Day 2025 is calling for global collaboration in creating a sustainable, productive, food-secure future,” says HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott.

“That is precisely what making vegetable growing a permitted activity is about. This needs to be included in the current reforms in the National Direction under the Resource Management Act, to support the resilient food supply for New Zealanders through the ongoing availability of affordable locally grown fresh produce.

“Without that, we risk many growers being driven out of business and by 2030 we could see a considerable reduction in the local food supply, which is so critical to our population’s health and wellbeing.

“It is not possible to import enough fresh vegetables due to our geographical isolation and the perishable nature of fresh vegetable produce.”

Scott said that currently growers are constantly challenged by regional decisions, including long delays and impractical outcomes.

“We have welcomed the Government’s proposals to enable water storage and managed aquifer recharge for growers and the proposed recognition of the national importance of vegetables.

“However, it is critical that their proposal to make vegetable growing a permitted activity is also implemented.

“That would mean growers would not require a resource consent but could operate with a freshwater farm plan that demonstrates the actions they are taking to manage risks to freshwater or the wider environment.”

HortNZ would also like to see commercial vegetable production being a permitted activity through a National Environmental Standard (NES).

“Commercial vegetable growers are passionate about feeding New Zealanders, but it is getting ever more difficult for them to do that,” says Scott.

“The official theme for World Food Day 2025 is ‘Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.’ New Zealand is in the fortunate position of being able to produce enough high-quality food to feed its people. The horticulture sector is eager to work hand in hand with government here to help ensure that continues.”