HortNZ calls for Tairāwhiti Gisborne to be included in streamlined rural recovery work

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) has welcomed plans to extend planning permissions for post-cyclone rural recovery work in Hawke’s Bay and called for Tairāwhiti Gisborne to also be included.

The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) recently consulted on the proposed Hawke’s Bay Rural Recovery Works Order in Council. This would extend the period when land users can complete rural recovery works from Cyclone Gabrielle without a resource consent.

Michelle Sands, HortNZ’s general manager strategy and policy, said that this Order in Council is very welcome and much needed in Hawke’s Bay. At the same time, there are still growers in Tairāwhiti Gisborne who would benefit from more time to complete works, and the region should either be included in the scope of the Order in Council, or a new Order created.

“This would enable Tairāwhiti’s recovery to be progressed in parallel with Hawke’s Bay. There are horticultural businesses in the region that still need significant work, including removing silt, contouring silt that will not remain on the property and digging drains.

“We are concerned, however, that the potential for council cost recovery would impose a financial burden on communities that are already under huge post-cyclone financial pressure.”

While growers have been remarkably resilient and made a strong recovery since the cyclone, some recovery works are still to be done, and this regulation will make that process easier for people who have already been through so much.

HortNZ represents the interests of approximately 4,500 commercial fruit and vegetable growers in New Zealand, with the horticultural sector providing over 40,000 jobs.