Every grower’s important

While HortNZ has been hugely focused on supporting Cyclone Gabrielle affected growers over the past month – and rightly so – we have also continued to further work that’s of relevance to all growers across the country.

RMA reform

HortNZ has spoken twice to the Environment Select Committee on our submissions on the Natural and Built Environment Bill (NBA) and the Spatial Planning Bill (SPA), which are two of the three acts that will replace the Resource Management Act (RMA).

HortNZ went back to the select committee in late March, following Cyclone Gabrielle. We emphasised the importance of an outcome in the National Planning Framework to protect highly productive land for primary production and climate change mitigation and adaptation, because it is the land most likely to support future generations to produce low emissions food. We argued that this resource should be protected from floods, adverse effects from upstream land uses, as well as urban sprawl.

Horizons One Plan

HortNZ is participating in mediation on Plan Change 2, an interim plan change to the Horizons One Plan that seeks to provide a consenting pathway for vegetable growers in the Horowhenua and Lower Rangitikei water catchment zones.

The original Plan Change 2 decision relied on Overseer. In response to the Overseer review, which confirmed the limitations of Overseer as a regulatory tool, farm systems experts have been working on an alternative approach for vegetable growers to demonstrate that they are managing the risk to water quality from growing vegetables.

The new risk tool approach was tested with Horowhenua growers. HortNZ is working with other parties to agree how the alternative to Overseer can be included within this plan change.

Grow Home Safe

Grow Home Safe is a three-year ACC funded project to improve safety and wellbeing in the horticulture industry. At the end of last year, the project published research into safety and wellbeing in our industry. This research is fundamental to the current stage of the project, which sees development tools and initiatives to improve safety and wellbeing that are practical and relevant for growers and their teams. 

Cyclone Gabrielle

Our work to support recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle of course continues. We are supporting all the regional initiatives to scope and plan the recovery, as well as working steadfastly with central government to increase understanding of the short- and long-term impacts of the cyclone, so they can tailor further support.

We are acutely aware of the pressure affected growers are under, as are the recovery coordination groups in the most affected regions. If you are feeling the pressure, please stay connected and reach out to these groups and their resources, as well as your neighbours. 

And if we can help you in any way, please email info@hortnz.co.nz and someone will come right back to you. 

In early February, we asked for the inclusion of food as a priority or ‘system outcome’ in the new National Planning Framework. We also emphasised that the proposed ten year maximum for water consents is not nearly long enough.