What 2023 will bring

Happy New Year everyone. I hope you managed some time with family and friends over the festive season, and enjoyed some of the amazing fresh produce that you grow for festive celebrations for our country and the world.

I know for our vegetable and berry growers, Christmas is a particularly busy time. So, on behalf of consumers, I would like to thank you because, while many people are off relaxing and enjoy the holidays, you are working harder than ever.   

While there have been no significant single weather events over the break, like we have experienced during recent Christmas and New Year periods, widespread wet weather and wind have had a negative impact on many of our vegetable, fruit and berry growers. Some berry and squash growers have lost their entire crops. Kumara, potato and onion growers have been struggling to sow and harvest. This will potentially see another period of supply challenges to consumers over the coming months.

As we all know, 2023 is a General Election year. This Government is intent on passing as many pieces of significant legislation as possible before the middle of the year, when electioneering will really get underway. At that point, expect to see a lot of politicians visiting in the regions, looking for photo opportunities!

Two of the three pieces of legislation to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA) are currently being consulted on. The Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA) is the main replacement for the RMA, while the Strategic Planning Act (SPA) will require the development of long-term regional spatial strategies.

Later this month, HortNZ will start engaging with growers about what the acts to replace the RMA need to deliver. But in a nutshell, all new Government legislation needs to support our sector to grow fresh, healthy, low carbon food, for New Zealand and the rest of the world.

Health and wellbeing need a much greater focus from the Government, given the increasing levels of obesity, mental health and general health issues in both adults and children in New Zealand. Our sector is a major contributor to helping prevent these problems. As a result, securing our horticulture food production ability should be at the top of any Government’s agenda.  

Our entire sector is under pressure after almost three years of major labour, logistics and market disruptions. Growers are working as hard and fast as they can to transition to even more sustainable growing systems, but this takes time and money. The latter is being squeezed immensely by inflationary challenges.

The Government must do what is in its powers to return growers to prosperity, ensuring our industry is not just sustainable but is flourishing, so it is able to continue to invest for the future of New Zealand’s health and wellbeing. 

That is my wish for 2023 and I am sure it is growers’ too. At the same time, it is important that we all work together, shout ‘from the same song sheet’, and focus on the collective outcome. Only by doing that will we get cut through, be heard and maintain our collective seat at the table. 

So, here’s to 2023 and horticulture’s collective success.