Lull in Government but growers keep going

Most Members of Parliament (MPs) are not in Wellington this week. Rather, they are out in their electorates starting to press the flesh before campaigning starts in earnest in a couple of months’ time. 

Last week, Parliament sat in urgency to debate Budget 2023. Much has been made by the Government of the support it has provided to New Zealanders affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and the investments it is making to rebuild infrastructure. At the same time, the Government is trying to get in front of the issue, by funding measures to lessen the impact of future weather events.

Growers in cyclone affected parts of the country are getting on with what they must do. In Gisborne early this week and Hawkes Bay late last week, I saw first-hand the painstaking progress that is being made in some areas. But in other more severely affected areas, growers are faced with the painful decision to shut up shop.

Exiting the industry is not a decision to be taken lightly. If you are faced with such a decision, please ensure you get all the advice and support that you need, particularly from your consultants, financiers and insurers. Go here to see the advice and assistance available through the Ministry for Primary Industries. 

Exiting is not giving up. Rather, it is making a rational decision and minimising your exposure to future uncertainties and potential losses. Exiting can also be about supporting the mental wellbeing of you and your family, and business partners.

Manifesto

HortNZ has provided MPs on all sides of the House with a copy of the Manifesto developed to make clear to Governments what horticulture needs to be successful. That is, to grow low carbon, healthy and great tasting food for New Zealand and the rest of the world, in a way that ensures growers thrive and prosper.

We have also engaged directly with MPs and their offices. Interest in better understanding our industry is high, particularly among Primary Production Select Committee members.

We will be keeping this dialogue up and offering MPs as well as Government officials further visits to the regions to appreciate first hand, the challenges of growing. These challenges are why we need supportive policy settings and practices, if we are to provide New Zealand with food security and the rest of the world with some of our amazing fruit and vegetables. 

To view the Manifesto, click here and scroll down.