Securing a strong future for New Zealand horticulture

We’ve now set a date for the 2025 Horticulture New Zealand Conference and we’re looking forward to connecting with growers, industry leaders, and policymakers in Wellington on 26-27 August.

The conference is always a highlight for growers, offering the chance to share insights, discuss challenges, and collectively chart the future of our industry.

This year, there will be strong interest from growers in our policy priorities and how we work with the Government to ensure horticulture remains a cornerstone of New Zealand’s economy and food security.

Horticulture is a key part of the solution to growing a sustainable economy that works for all New Zealanders.

Our growers produce high-quality, nutritious fruit and vegetables for both domestic and global markets while creating jobs and export success in a way that respects the environment and our communities.

The Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan, a partnership between industry, Government, Māori, and science, aims to double horticulture’s farmgate value by 2035.

This supports the aim of the Government’s focus on economic growth and shares the ambition to double the value of New Zealand’s exports in the next decade.

To make this vision a reality, we need strong collaboration and the right policy settings. In 2025/26, HortNZ wants to work with the Government on six priority areas to drive export growth and support a thriving horticulture sector:

Water security and supply

Reliable access to water is critical for producing high-quality crops. While we welcome the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Act and planned freshwater policy updates, further work is needed to support catchment-wide water management. Policies should balance environmental needs with the economic imperative of sustainable food production.

Reliable supply of healthy, locally grown fruit and vegetables

Nutritious, locally grown food is essential for a healthy, lower-emissions diet, yet rising costs and regulatory hurdles are limiting production.

The Resource Management Amendment Bill presents an opportunity to make vegetable growing a permitted activity across all regions, with the ability to rotate crops under a freshwater farm plan. Just as important is the Grocery Commissioner ensuring supermarkets provide fair pricing structures to support food security.

Access to new tools

New Zealand’s regulatory framework is stifling the introduction of safer, more effective pest and disease management tools. Growers need a more efficient approval process that aligns with decisions made by trusted overseas regulators. Beyond pest management, there is also significant potential to harness technology and innovation to support more profitable and sustainable growing.

Effective assurance of quality

Growers already meet high assurance standards through Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification, yet regulatory processes remain complex and costly. The recent amendment to the Resource Management Act allows GAP certification to serve as an approved Freshwater Farm Plan, is a positive step that should be expanded to food safety regulations under the Food Act.

Aligning education with industry needs

Horticulture employs more than 40,000 people, but workforce shortages remain a persistent challenge. We need to align education and training with industry needs to enable a highly skilled and capable future focused workforce. This includes more targeted vocational training and stronger connections between the sector and education providers.

Certainty for Pacific workers and employers

The Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme is vital for horticulture, providing skilled, reliable workers when needed. It is essential that Government policy ensures certainty for both Pacific workers and employers, maintaining fair and sustainable access to labour that supports our industry’s growth.

It’s vital we get the horticulture sector’s policy settings right.

Growers need confidence to invest, knowing that the regulatory environment will support them rather than hinder progress.

With the right policies in place, we can meet our ambitious growth targets, increase food security, and ensure all New Zealanders have access to delicious and nutritious fruit and vegetables.

We look forward to working together to secure a strong future for New Zealand horticulture.