What’s in a name?

We are launching the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan in Tairāwhiti Gisborne – which is what that area of New Zealand is now more often than not called – on 1 February.

I have received some mixed feedback on the use of Aotearoa in the action plan’s title. The Government is now frequently referring to our country as Aotearoa New Zealand. The choice of title was made by the Government, which initiated the plan that has been completed by our industry, working with Māori, the science community, Ministry for Primary Industries and others with an interest in advancing our industry. 

New Zealand is a racially and culturally diverse country. Similarly, our growing community is equally diverse. We encompass a wide range of ethnicities and backgrounds, which I believe is a major strength of our sector.

Within Government circles, there is increasing emphasis on the use of te reo Māori as part of the Government’s responsibilities under the Treaty of Waitangi. This commitment is also reflected by the New Zealand media and its use of te reo Māori, for greetings and place names. 

At the same time, this Government is highly conscious of the wide variety of people who call New Zealand home. Our country is seen as safe and welcoming.

We all know what we are talking about when we use or hear the name Aotearoa. Personally, I am more concerned about the quality of the action plan, rather than its title. This action plan is critical to our industry achieving the goal of increasing farm gate returns to $12 billion by 2035.

This increase needs to be achieved in an operating environment – in the widest sense of the term – that has changed and will continue to change rapidly. As an industry, we have always been conscious of the importance of our social licence. That social licence is under increasingly pressure, which is reflected in the focus of the Action Plan on sustainability, the environment and people. 

To be successful, we must all work together, focusing on the future and the big picture. New Zealand has changed, our industry must change, and New Zealand and our industry will continue to change.

Let’s work together and ensure we focus on the things that are pivotal to our industry’s adaption and in doing so ensure our future success.